Goldilocks Zone Contest for Authors and Artists A project of Sunspot Literary Journal (see other related projects). About The Goldilocks Zone appears wherever conditions make a planet habitable. Sunspot Lit is looking for the single short story, novel or novella excerpt, artwork, graphic novel, or poem that combines excellence in craft with reader or audience appeal, and thus falls into the Goldilocks Zone. Literary or genre works accepted. Fees Notice: This project charges fees (or requires purchases) for all submissions. The fee is USD $5. Country of Publication & Year Established United States Established in 2022 Publication Media & Contest Frequency Electronic Publication Electronic PublicationAwarded 1 x per yearPrint Publication Print PublicationAwarded 1 x per year Collapse section Fiction Temp Closed Dates:Will be open to submissions from 01 April 2026 12:00 AM UTC (in 285 days) through 30 April 2026.Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: Open to all/most Genres including... General.Lengths: Short Story: 1,000 - 2,500 words. Novel Excerpt: Up to 2,500 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Winner's Prize:Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Professional payment. Details: USD $100 for winner.Submissions:Methods: Duosuma submission manager. Submittable submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Multiple entries: Multiple entries are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Nonfiction Temp Closed Dates:Will be open to submissions from 01 April 2026 12:00 AM UTC (in 285 days) through 30 April 2026.Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Lengths: Narrative Nonfiction: Up to 2,500 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Winner's Prize:Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Professional payment. Details: USD $100 for winner.Submissions:Methods: Duosuma submission manager. Submittable submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Multiple entries: Multiple entries are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Poetry Temp Closed Dates:Will be open to submissions from 01 April 2026 12:00 AM UTC (in 285 days) through 30 April 2026.Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: Open to all/most Genres including... General.Lengths: Poem: Up to 24 lines.Poetry Forms:Open to all/most Forms.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Winner's Prize:Professional payment (US$50 or more per poem) Professional payment. Details: USD $100 for winner.Submissions:Methods: Duosuma submission manager. Submittable submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Multiple entries: Multiple entries are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Visual Art Temp Closed Dates:Will be open to submissions from 01 April 2026 12:00 AM UTC (in 285 days) through 30 April 2026.Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Lengths: Artwork: Graphic Narrative: No page limits known.Art Media: Open to all/most Art Media, including... Cartoon/Comic strip. Painting. Photography. Sculpture.Art Styles:Open to all/most Art Styles.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Winner's Prize:Professional payment (US$50 or more per piece) Professional payment. Details: USD $100 for winner.Submissions:Methods: Duosuma submission manager. Submittable submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Multiple entries: Multiple entries are allowed.Media: Image. Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary. Go to contest webpage Report: Submission/Response Correction/Update New Cover ArtSocial:LinkedIn LinkedInX (Twitter) @AuthorLaine For the Editor(s): Request Interview Link to Duotrope Support this Publisher: Make a Donation Goldilocks Zone Contest for Authors and Artists Submission Statistics Free Preview! The statistics in this section are compiled from submission reports sent to us through our submission tracker. They are not provided by the publication's editors/staff or by Duotrope's admins. Information in this section is updated a few times per day. Learn more about the statistics. Accuracy: We have received 4 reports from 4 different members within the past 12 months. The more responses reported, the more accurate the information. Days Reported: 26 min | 30.5 mean avg | 29.0 median | 38 max days (5.7 std dev) Other Information The most common submission fee paid: USD $5.00. Most submissions are acknowledged on the same day. Most recent response reported was received on 26 May 2025. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 30 Apr 2025. Work submitted here was also submitted to...This section is available to subscribers only." Sign up and start your free trial today!Members accepted here also had work accepted by...This section is available to subscribers only. Become a member and start your free trial today! Your Submissions This section is available to subscribers only. Join today! Related ProjectsGeminga Contest for Tiny Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, or Art Charges fees for all submissionsA Single Word Contest CLOSED Charges fees for all submissionsSunspot Lit Culmination Prize for a Prose, Poem, or Art Ending Charges fees for all submissionsSunspot Lit Inception Contest Charges fees for all submissionsSunspot Lit Rigel Contest Charges fees for all submissionsSunspot Lit Solar Flare Contest Charges fees for all submissionsSunspot Literary Journal Charges fees for all submissions Before SubmittingWe cannot guarantee that the information on this page is correct. It is not unusual for publications to evolve or close without notice. We do our best to keep up, but it isn't always possible. Duotrope listings do not imply endorsement or recommendation of the project being listed. Before submitting, you should use your own judgment to determine whether the project meets your standards.Always read the full guidelines provided by the publisher.Try to read at least one previous publication to get a better idea of what the editor would like to see.Unless the publisher's guidelines state otherwise, always use industry standard manuscript formatting.Be professional, patient, and persistent. DatesLast Updated: 30 Apr 2025Last Audited: 23 Mar 2025 Date Added: 26 Oct 2022We check their guidelines for changes every four weeks, and we audit the listing twice a year.