What is Democracy?

Call for submissions

The Minnesota chapter of the Writers for Democratic Action invites Minnesota writers to submit a piece of writing to be considered for publication on our website's Journal page. Please send up to a 200 word piece. It could be an essay, an op-ed, a story, or a poem that is a response to the question: "What Is Democracy?" We are looking for inspiration and engaging writing. Along with your submission, please include your full name and contact information. Send via email:
hello@writersfordemocraticactionmn.org

United We Write

Lost Lake Folk Opera

Deadline:

August 1, 2025

Where:

Submittable

Lost Lake Folk Opera is proud to announce that Submissions are Open for its fifteenth issue, Volume 10, with the special theme, United We Write. LLFO v10 will feature a guest editorial team led by Joshua Davies Managing Editor, assisted by editors Drelandra Larkins and Michael Moore.

SUBMISSIONS via Submittable will be accepted through July 2025. Send up to 5 poems or maximum of 2500 words of fiction, an essay, or a short play. https://shipwrecktbooks.submittable.com/submit

LLFO V10 will feature poetry, fiction, short plays and essays responding to the socio-economic and political realities in the United States, writing that identifies political crises, societal grief, economic shocks, social injustice. We are not looking for political writing per se, but rather literary art that addresses the struggle we individuals face collectively to maintain a grip on reality and a firm foothold safe from the sinkholes, ruptures, and buried ordnance littering the landscape of our lives.

Suffering is endemic to human existence. It is shaped by the times, by race and culture, by politics, war, economics—and by each person’s experience. The ancient Hebrew concept of Tikkun Olam captures this reality: that this world is made by brokenness, by disconnections. To witness the sacredness each being carries, to honor the interconnection in life, and art, and one’s conduct is to aid in mending of the world. With this in mind, please submit up to five poems or maximum 2500 words of fiction, essay or short play. Rough maximum of ten pages.

Line by line, word by word, at Lost Lake Folk Opera, we aim to stitch each torn seam together. Voice by voice and ear by ear, we seek to honor all that’s most precious in each other. In our own small way, we work towards repair and healing, in community: United, We Write.

Rhythm and Revolution: The America at 250 Poetry Project

Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library

Deadline:

October 31, 2025

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of signing the Declaration of Independence, the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library is conducting an open call for new/original (unpublished) poetry. Inspired to AASLH, his upcoming anniversary is an opportunity for us as a people to engage with history and reflect upon the full sweep of our nation’s past “beginning millennia before 1776 and continuing to the present – to build a stronger future.”

The Friends of the SPPL hope that the poetry recognized through this project adds to meaningful dialogue and mutual understanding. Submission deadline: Friday, October 31st, 2025. For guidelines and more information, click the link and scroll down the page for all the details.

Voice of Democracy Essay Contest

Sponsored by the VFW

Deadline:

Oct. 31, midnight

Where:

Bring the entry form to your local participating VFW Post

The VFW is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generation. If you are a democracy-loving high school student interested in a $35,000 college scholarship or a patriotic middle school student interested in winning $5,000, these scholarships may be for you.

The 2025-26 theme is: “How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?”

Twin Cities Book Festival

Sponsored by Rain Taxi

When:

Saturday, November 8, 2025

Where:

Union Depot
St. Paul, MN

25 Years of Celebrating Books & Book People

Rain Taxi’s Twin Cities Book Festival is the annual Minnesota gathering for readers, writers, publishers, and purveyors of all things literary. The TCBF features dozens of presenting authors, special children’s programs, and a wide variety of exhibitors featuring new and rare books, quirky literary curiosities, and more.

Expression!: A Fall Poetry Festival

Sponsored by Cracked Walnut

When:

Fall 2025

Where:

Various

"Expression!: A Fall Poetry Festival" will highlight poetry around the metro area from late August through September — and possibly into October.