Scribble House February Newsletter
Info on the last Literary Publishing 101 Workshop, along with upcoming online & in-person events, 20 open calls from local publishers, and a writing prompt that dwells on a moment.
Scribble House February Newsletter
Hello, Scribble Friends!
If this email looks a bit different than past newsletters, that’s because it’s coming to you from our new home on Substack! It’s still the same free, once-a-month newsletter as before, just with a slight facelift and a different URL. The only functional difference is that it’s now possible for folks to comment on newsletters, so if we miss any upcoming events or open submission calls you can drop them in the comment section. You can also share announcements like recent publications, award nominations, or other good writerly news.
Onto Scribble House events: The last of our Literary Publishing 101 workshops is coming up this week on Tuesday, February 3rd from 6-7:30pm at the East Liberty Library (130 S. Whitfield Street). Like the first two, it’s aimed primarily at folks who are new to submitting, or who are coming back to it after some time away, but experienced submitters are also welcome to come share their thoughts and advice, or get input to help improve your submission process or find new places to send stuff.
That’s the only official Scribble House event in February, but there are plenty of other things happening around western PA, along with the usual smattering of publishers with open calls. Click the links below to jump ahead to those sections or keep scrolling for this month’s writing prompt.
Craft & Community – Upcoming events around Western PA, including:
Western PA Publishers with Open Calls – Currently:
Writing Prompt: Déjà vu all over again
Recently I’ve read a few different stories that use what I’ll call a “sliding door” structure. Instead of each scene happening in a different narrative time, they show different versions of the same series of moments, and the narrative growth happens in the changes between those iterations. There was a story like this a couple of months ago in Short Story, Long (”A Love Story Told in Nine Lives“), where the reader sees various ways the relationship between two people could have played out. Another example I read recently is “Village Green” in Pithead Chapel, where the same night in a family’s life plays out over and over under increasingly difficult and dystopian-feeling circumstances.
Of course, in Western Pennsylvania, the idea of a plot made up of repetitions always sends my brain to Groundhog Day, which takes what is arguably the most common approach to this concept: that of someone who’s stuck in a time loop. Since that particular date also happens to be right around the corner, it felt like the fates were aligning for a prompt based on this idea.
For the first step of this prompt, you have a choice:
Write a scene or poem that shows a pivotal or high-emotion moment.
Choose a pivotal or high-emotion moment that you’ve already captured in a poem or scene from a finished story or work in progress.
Once you have your starting moment:
1. Set a timer for 5 minutes and brainstorm other ways that this moment could potentially play out. Write down everything that comes to mind, even if it seems absurd--you’re not necessarily going to write out every one of these possibilities (and you might find that the weird ones end up being exactly what you need).
2. Look through the different possibilities you’ve come up with and identify:
Which outcome would the protagonist of the moment think of as the best-case scenario?
Which outcome would the protagonist think of as the worst-case scenario?
Which scenarios feel like they’re in conversation with each other?
Which pairs of scenarios feel like they’re opposites of each other, and in what way?
3. Now, consider all of those things together and look at ways that a series or collection of different outcomes might work together. Are there any that would create an emotional journey or arc for the protagonist? Do some of the possible scenarios feel like they share a thematic link? If nothing’s jumping out at you, try grouping combinations of 4-5 scenarios together and see if they seem to be in conversation with each other.
4. As the last step, choose 4-5 of the scenarios you brainstormed and write those scenes.
Craft & Community
There are a few spring and summer events that are currently open for registration:
The Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia (WCoNA) is currently open for early bird registration:
Early bird deadline is February 15th
Costs $140 before 2/15, goes up to $170 after that
Conference is March 6th-7th at St. Francis University (Loretto, PA)
The PGH Book Fest (formerly the Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books) is currently open for participant registration in a few categories:
Workshops – To facilitate a panel, workshop, lecture, or other event during the festival (free to apply, deadline 3/1)
Authors and Poets– To take part in panel discussions and readings or present a workshop (free to apply, stipend if accepted, deadline 3/1)
Writer’s Row – To sell books as a self-published or small press author ($75 if accepted, deadline 3/1)
Exhibitors and Vendors – to sell books or other merch at a table ($100-$150 if accepted, deadline 3/1)
The PGH Book Fest will be on May 30, 2026 at the Carnegie Library Main Branch in Oakland.
In-person workshops, classes, & open mics:
Pittsburgh Poetry Collective’s Open Mic and slam schedule for January:
February 3rd, 7-10pm: Open Mic hosted by Harley (Poetry Lounge)
February 10th, 7-10pm: Open Mic hosted by Kendall Snee (Poetry Lounge)
February 11th, 7-10pm: Steel City Slam & Open Mic (The Pitch on Butler)
February 17th, 7-10pm: Steel City Slam 333 & Open Mic (Poetry Lounge)
February 24th, 7-10pm: Open Mic hosted by Richard Magnelli (Poetry Lounge)
February 3rd, 7-8:30pm: Story Club PGH Story Slam
Where: Alphabet City (40 W. North Avenue)
The theme for this month’s storytelling series is “Mixed Signals.” Come in person to listen or share, or you can watch the livestream if you can’t make it in person.
February 6th, 6-8pm: Poeming Through the Dark Open Mic
Where: Indiana Theater (Indiana, PA)
This monthly open mic series is continuing their usual pattern of alternating between Indiana, PA and Johnstown, PA. February’s reading is in Indiana and you can see the upcoming schedule at the Instagram post linked above.
February 7th, 1-3pm: The Mobile Cartoon Museum
Where: Carnegie Library – South Side (2205 East Carson Street)
Presented by Incubator Productions
This immersive presentation features cartooning materials, artifacts, and art, with a professional cartoonist on hand to offer guidance and feedback.
February 7th, 2-3pm: Zine Making
Where: Carnegie Library – Sheraden (720 Sherwood Avenue)
Presented by Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse
Learn to create book projects from recycled materials in this hands-on workshop.
February 9th, 7pm: Open Mic Night
Where: Emma Lazrus Art + Music (1808 Brownsville Road)
Hosted by Pittsburgh Poetry Exchange
Sign-ups open at 7 and the reading starts at 7:30. Open to all creators, including poetry, prose, music, and whatever else one can do on a stage in roughly 5 minutes.
February 14th, 1-2pm: Bookbinding/Journal Making
Where: Carnegie Library – Carrick (1811 Brownsville Road)
Presented by Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse
Another great workshop for folks interested in handmaking books, this one will focus on how to repurpose materials by creating your own handbound volumes.
February 17th, 7:30pm: Story Club PGH Storytelling Night
Where: Bottlerocket Social Hall (1226 Arlington Avenue)
The theme of this live storytelling event is “Close Calls.” Audience members can sign up to share true stories on the theme (if you want to participate, show up a bit early—doors open at 5). You can also come just to enjoy the show.
February 18th, 7-8pm: SPLASHH (Silently Partaking in Literature and Sips Happy Hour)
Where: White Whale Bookstore (4754 Liberty Avenue)
Hang out and read books with other literature lovers at this monthly event. Café drinks are two bucks off, and if you don’t have a book in progress they’ve got plenty at the store.
February 22nd, 4-5:30pm: Loose Leaf Writers Group
Where: Bantha Tea (5002 Penn Avenue)
Hosted by Write Pittsburgh
This free monthly writing group happens on the last Sunday of every month and is a chance to get some writing done in the company of other creative folks. There’s no cost but they do prefer you register in advance (just so they know how many folks are coming).
February 25th, 6-8pm: Mashup: A writing workshop for moms and queers
Where: Poetry Lounge (313 North Avenue, Millvale)
Facilitator: Becca Cooper
This free workshop is open to writers of all experience levels and led by a member of the Steel City Slam Poetry team.
February 26th, 5:30-7:30pm: Contemplation of Sorrow
Where: Carnegie Library – Squirrel Hill, Meeting Room A (5801 Forbes Avenue)
Hosted by Write Pittsburgh
Facilitator: Nina Padolf
Costs $15-$30 (sliding scale)
This workshop will address the many forms of sorrow by reading examples of how other writers have addressed sorrow and using free-writing prompts to generate your own works on the topic.
March 1st, 9:30am-3pm: Library Book Sale
Where: Carnegie Library – Main (4400 Forbes Avenue)
Also a preview party on February 28th, 6-8pm ($40 in advance)
There will be the usual array of both new and used books on offer. Proceeds from the book sale and Preview Party benefit the PGH Book Fest.
March 5th, 6-8pm: Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh Closing Reception & Poetry Slam
Where: Carnegie Library – Main, Graphic Novel Room (4400 Forbes Avenue)
Writers from Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh will read their poems, followed by an open mic.
In-person book launches, talks, & readings
February 2nd, 7-8pm: Unshrunk by Laura Delano
Where: Riverstone Books (5841 Forbes Avenue)
In conversation with Theresa Brown
Genre: Memoir
February 3rd, 7pm: Launch of Beyond Steel by Christopher P. Briem
Where: White Whale Bookstore (4754 Liberty Avenue)
In conversation with Brian O’Neill
Genre: Pittsburgh history
February 4th, 7pm: Ed Simon – Devil’s Contract: The History of the Faustian Bargain
Where: Carnegie Library Lecture Hall (4400 Forbes Avenue)
Presented by Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures
Genre: Scholarly nonfiction
February 6th, 7pm: City of Clans by Geoff Peck
Where: White Whale Bookstore (4754 Liberty Avenue)
In collaboration with Pittsburgh Review of Books
Genre: Literary/LBGTQ+ fiction
February 7th, 7pm: Sun King by Cate Peebles
Where: Stay Gold Books (1104 S. Braddock Avenue)
With readers Ed Steck and Amish Trivedi
Genre: Poetry
February 9th, 7:30pm: Calvin Ducan & Sophie Cull
Where: Carnegie Music Hall (4400 Forbes Avenue)
Part of the Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures Ten Evenings Series
Genre: Memoir
February 10th, 7pm: Launch of Esquire Ball by Lisa Slage Robinson
Where: White Whale Bookstore (4754 Liberty Avenue)
In conversation with Mark Flaherty
Genre: Short fiction, magical realism
February 12th, 7pm: Launch of The Great Grown-Up Game of Make Believe by Lauren Woods
Where: White Whale Bookstore (4754 Liberty Avenue)
With Sherrie Flick
Genre: Literary speculative short fiction (winner of the 2025 Autumn House Fiction Prize)
February 14th, 4-6pm: Artist talk by Sue Abramson
Where: Bottom Feeder Books (415 Gettysburg Street)
Genre: Visual art
Sue Abramson’s exhibit The Painted Planet: Hand Colored Photographs 1984-1989 is on view at Bottom Feeder Books through the end of February, and she’ll also have an opening reception on February 7th (6-8pm).
February 17th, 7-8pm: Writing During the Apocalypse by Ed Simon
Where: Stay Gold Books (1104 S. Braddock Avenue)
Genre: Memoir/Literary nonfiction
February 17th, 7-8pm: Launch of Scale Boy by Patrice Nganang
Where: Alphabet City (40 W. North Avenue)
Part of City of Asylum’s World Literature series
Genre: Memoir
Also a livestream available
February 22nd, 3-4pm: Free Association Reading Series
Where: Alphabet City (40 W. North Avenue)
Readers: Laura Jackson, Dani LaMorte, Lauren Shapiro, James Tasillo
Also a livestream available
March 1st, 3-4pm: On Morrison by Namwali Serpell
Where: Alphabet City (40 W. North Avenue)
Genre: Scholarly nonfiction
Discussion moderated by Anderson Tepper
Also a livestream available
Online events & classes
There are a few Craft Talks webinars in February:
February 4th, 3-4:15pm: Fact, Memory, Imagination: Connecting the Dots to Uncover Meaning in Our Moments ($30)
February 12th, 3-4:30pm: Using Research in Creative Nonfiction and Fiction: How Facts Enhance Creative Work ($20)
February 18th, 3-4:15pm: Point of View: Finding the Right Lens for Your Story ($20)
February 25th, 3-4:30pm: The Fallacy of One Voice: The Fractured Self in Memoir ($20)
Craft Talks also has a couple of two-week seminars in February:
Writing Your Modern Love: From Idea to Draft
February 7th & 14th, 2-4pm
Costs $125
Send, Build, Grow: Strategies for a Sustainable Newsletter Practice
February 21st & 28th, 2-4pm
Costs $99
February 3rd, 6-7pm: Author Talk with Aja
Hosted by Write Pittsburgh
Join the event by going to Write Pittsburgh’s Instagram at the start time
February 3rd-24th: Anatomy of a Conflict
4 Tuesdays, 6-7pm
Presented by PennWriters
Instructor: Patricia Jackson
Costs $100 ($75 for PennWriters members)
This intensive craft-focused course will dig into how to master conflict as a storytelling engine. The course will include lectures and hands-on exercises to help them build tension and raise stakes in a way that feels organic to the characters.
February 7th, 10am-12pm: Emotional Poetry Workshop
Hosted by Write Pittsburgh
Facilitator: Kendall Snee
Costs $15-$30 (sliding scale)
This workshop will use the Feelings Wheel as a tool to discover more nuanced emotions that you can weave into poetry. It’s a generative workshop where you’ll use exercises to create new work based in deep emotions. I’ll say I went to a shorter version of this presentation at last year’s In Your Write Mind conference and it gave me some great ideas and a tool I still pull out and use, so this is one I can personally recommend.
February 14th, 2-3:30pm: Virtual Open Mic
Hosted by Bridge Literary Arts Center
Featured readers: Mike Simms and Philip Terman
These virtual open mics are open to all, just follow the instructions on the website to get the Zoom link. After it kicks off with the featured readers, attendees will have a chance to share their own work (about 5 minutes per reader).
Western PA Publishers with Open Calls
Short prose & individual poems
Rat Bag Lit is open for a few calls:
Unthemed micros (up to 300 words, pays .01/word) through February 10th
Saving Daylight drabbles (100 words exactly, pays $1 per drabble) through February 10th
Stoner story micros (exactly 420 words, pays $4.20 each)
Publishes “weird little stories that don’t fit anywhere else”
Forbes & Fifth is open for fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and visual art through February 13th.
Publishes work by undergraduates
Run by the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh
Send them:
Fiction and creative nonfiction up to 25 pages
Up to 3 poems
Collision is open for fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and art through February 15th.
Publishes work by undergraduates
Run by the English department at the University of Pittsburgh
Send them:
Fiction and creative nonfiction up to 2,500 words
Up to 5 poems
Up to 5 works of art
Appalachian Lit is open for fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and art through February 28th.
Publishes work with a meaningful connection to Appalachia
Send them:
Fiction or creative nonfiction up to 7,500 words
Up to 5 poems
Up to 10 works of art
Eye Contact is open for fiction, poetry, art, and graphic narratives through March 31st.
Theme: Symphony
This issue’s genre for the flash fiction contest is “fantasy”
Send them:
Fiction up to 1,500 words
Up to 3 poems
Up to 4 pieces of art
Up to 5 pages of graphic novel
Literary journal of the popular fiction program at Seton Hill
The Parsec Short Story Contest is open for speculative fiction through March 31st.
Theme: Metamorphosis
Send them fiction up to 3,500 words
Open to writers who do not meet SFWA full member eligibility requirements ($1,000 or more in lifetime genre fiction sales)
Also have a Youth Story Prize for writers 19 and younger
Winner gets $200 and publication
Also $100 2nd, $50 3rd
Youth Story Prize winner gets $50
The Loyalhanna Review is open for fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and art through April 3rd.
Run by the Ligonier Valley Writers
Send them:
Fiction and creative nonfiction up to 1,500 words
Up to 3 poems
Up to 5 works of art
SLAB is open for fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and art through April 15th.
Based at Slippery Rock University
Send them:
Fiction or creative nonfiction up to 10,000 words
Up to 5 poems
Also have a contest you can enter for a $10 reading fee
AvantAppal(achia) is open for fiction, poetry, art, video, and audio through April 30th.
Publishes avant garde literature with a focus on Appalachia
Send them:
Fiction up to 7,500 words
Up to 3 poems
Up to 3 works of art
Hollow Oak Press is accepting flash fiction for their Acorns feature
Publisher of speculative fiction based in Northwestern PA
Send them stories 1,000-1,500 words
Pays $5 per piece
Kestrel is open year-round for fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and art.
Based at Fairmont State University in West Virginia (so not technically “Western PA” but still highly regional)
Send them:
Fiction and creative nonfiction up to 5,000 words
Up to 5 poems
Lake Effect is open year-round for submissions of stories, poems, and essays.
Published by Penn State Behrend (Erie, PA)
Send them:
Fiction and creative nonfiction up to 15 pages
Up to 4 poems
Uppagus is open all year for their online issues
Send them:
Flash fiction (up to 750 words)
Poems (1-4)
Visual art (1-6 pieces)
You can check out their archives to see the kind of stuff they publish.
YNST Magazine is open for fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and art.
For writers and artists with a connection to the Appalachian region
Pays (rate not specified)
Also publishes fashion writing and designs
Book-length manuscripts
The Autumn House Press Fiction Prize is open through February 28th.
Winner gets $2,500 and publication
Finalists are also considered for publication
$35 entry fee
Send them fiction manuscripts of 150-300 pages (novels or collections)
The University of Pittsburgh Press Donald Hall Prize for Poetry is open through February 28th.
Run through the AWP Award Series
Winner gets $5,500 and publication
$30 entry fee ($20 for AWP members)
For poetry manuscripts of at least 48 pages
The Black Lawrence Press Hudson Prize is open through March 31st.
Winner gets $1,000 and publication
For unpublished collections of poetry or prose:
Poetry manuscripts 45-95 pages
Prose manuscripts 120-280 pages
Lefty Blondie Press’ First Chapbook Award is open through March 31st.
For poets 40+ who identify as female or nonbinary and haven’t yet published a poetry collection
Send them poetry manuscripts of 18-24 pages
Pay what you can reading fee
Winner gets $250 and 10 author copies
Golden Bridges Publishing is currently open to submissions.
Main focus of the press is historical fiction but also publish fantasy, sci-fi, memoir, cozy mystery, and literary fiction
Also have two imprints:
Big Sister Books – YA and middle grade
Little Sister Books – children’s picture and chapter books
Sunbury Press is open to submissions year-round.
Publishes novels and book-length non-fiction
Based in Mechanicsburg, PA (so not quite “Western PA” but close enough for horseshoes and newsletters)
What they want in their own words: “We are always seeking new titles to publish including: history, historical fiction, mystery/detective, police procedurals, crime thrillers, horror, literary fiction, young adult, current events, science, reference, art history, ANY local/regional history, humor, spiritual/metaphysical, self-help, professional, memoirs, etc. If we didn’t mention your category — try us anyway!”
Those who write about regional and local topics may also want to check out their Catamount Press imprint, which is focused on literature related to Northern Appalachia