Call for writers for new online web journal, The AF Project. Publishes a broad range of subjects, genres, and forms. Seeks writers who share a passionate interest in art, design, and visual culture.

Storm Cellar (US) seeks nonfiction, fiction, poetry from women, girls, and other female-identifying writers for a special theme issue featuring and celebrating women. Open theme. Deadline: September 15, 2012.

The Acrobat (Canada) is currently seeking original fiction and poetry for its premiere issue, slated for December. Submit Fiction (3500 words max.) and Poetry (4 poems max.) to info@tightropebooks.com. Acceptance notices sent late November. Small writers fee for accepted work. Theme: Beginnings and endings. Deadline: October 15, 2012.

Common Virtues (U.S.; no link) seeks writing that 'bridges the failure of politics to foster unity by encouraging work for the common good across individual differences.' Poets are invited to reflect on justice, compassion, generosity, and mutual concern as virtues of committed citizenship. For guidelines contact vklimoski@gmail.com. Deadline: November 30, 2012.

Entries are invited for The Aesthetica Creative Writing Competition (UK). First prize in each category (Poetry and Fiction): £500. Open to international writers. Entry fee: £12. Deadline: August 31, 2012.

Soldiers for the Cause (U.S.) is a activist blog aspiring to be the inverse of a Soldier of Fortune Magazine. Seeks to be an outlet for veterans, families, and activists to voice opinions on social causes. Accepting veteran-related essays, articles, and media analysis.

Chrysalis Zine (Canada) seeks poetry, short prose (the shorter the better), and visual art. Theme: Movement. Also seeking brief reviews of books, films, and music. Print zine with online blog. Send work to chrysaliszine@gmail.com

Monthly online mag BareBack (Canada) seeks submissions of poetry (2-3 poems), fiction (2500 words max.), and art (5-7 pages) for their monthly issues.

The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts (Sarnia, ON) invites entries for its Short Story Competition. First prize: $300. Two second prizes: one student, one non-student. Fee: $10. Open to Canadian citizens only. Length of entry: 500 words max. Deadline: October 15, 2012.

Indian Ink, a bi-monthly print magazine (Kannur, Kerala) seeks submissions from emerging and established writers. Welcomes international writers. indian.ink.mag@gmail.com

Northern Cardinal Review (Canada) is seeking submissions for its premiere issue (launch: November). Wanted: Creative and vivid submission of poetry and non-fiction essays. Open to writers living in Canada, Alaska, or the northern border states of the U.S.

Entries are invited for the Cha 'The Past' Poetry Contest (China, UK). Theme: The Past. First prize: £50, Second: £30, Third: £20. Free entry. Submit two poems. Six winning poems published in a special section in the September 2012 issue of Cha. Deadline: September 15, 2012.

Papirmasse (Canada) is looking for artists and writers to include in its 2013 run: a monthly print with art on the front and writing on the back. Selected contributors are paid a stipend plus 3 copies of their issue. Deadline: October 15, 2012.

Print publication Stone Voices (US) is looking for articles, essays, fiction, and poetry about the connection between art and spirituality as it relates to the making of art, history of art, spiritual awakening, mindfulness, and more. Questions can be sent to info@stonevoices.co. Deadline: October 15, 2012.

Verity La is an Australian on-line creative arts journal, publishing short fiction and poetry, cultural comment, photomedia, reviews, and interviews. Open to writing on all topics. Currently looking for well-written work from the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community.

The Ilanot Review, an Israeli journal for creative writing in English, is open to international poetry, fiction and non-fiction submissions. Welcomes original work and works in translation. Theme: Foreign Bodies. Deadline: October 30, 2012

Entries are invited for the Writers' Village Best Writing Award (UK). Short fiction up to 3000 words in any genre. First prize $800. Open to international writers. Fee: $16 (includes free critique). Winning stories posted to site. Deadline: September 30, 2012.

The Capilano Review (BC) invites entries for the 2nd annual Robin Blaser Poetry Award. Prize: $500 + publication in the Fall issue. Fee: $35 ($45 for non-Canadian; includes subscription). Length: 8 pages max. New deadline (not postmark): August 15, 2012.

Descant invites entries for the annual Winston Collins/Descant Prize for Best Canadian Poem. Prize: $1000. Length: 100 lines. Entry fee: $30 entry fee (includes subscription). Deadline: October 12, 2012.

Friends of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library (Texas) invite entries for the Scare The Dickens Out of Us ghost story writing contest. First prize: US$1000. Length: 5000 words max. Open to all. Contest is privately funded. Entry fee: US$20. All entry fees support the library. Deadline: October 1, 2012.

Stained Pages Press seeks submissions for an anthology of food writing about Toronto. Accepting poetry, essays and short fiction. Length: 3000 words max. Deadline: November 30, 2012. Payment: One copy.

Postscripts to Darkness (Canada) seek works of short weird and uncanny fiction for the third volume of their (semi) annual anthology. Length: 3000 words max. Prefers writing that 'pushes and plays with(in) the boundaries of the fantastic, the marvelous, the uncanny, and the horrific.' Payment: Contributor's copies. Deadline: January, 2013.

Vallum Magazine (Canada) seeks poetry for issue 10:1. Theme: Magic - What is magic? Does it exist in today's technological world? Deadline: October 15, 2012.

The Barnstormer (Canada) seeks sports-related stories and poetry with a literary edge. All are sports considered, and definition of sport is open. Appreciates writing that is 'timely, but with a healthy dose of nostalgia.' Current special call for poetry about the Olympics. Also publishes essays, memoirs, predictions, lamentations, interviews, profiles, book reviews, and novel excerpts.

The Capilano Review (BC) invites entries for the 2nd annual Robin Blaser Poetry Award. Prize: $500 + publication in the Fall issue. Fee: $35 ($45 for non-Canadian; includes subscription). Length: 8 pages max. New deadline (not postmark): August 15, 2012.