Labor Pains A May Day Contest A project of Marrow Magazine (see other related projects). Permanently Closed: This project is permanently closed to submissions (April 2026). We provide the following information as an archive. About Strife. Strength. Sorrow. Suffering.Sometimes it costs everything. Sometimes, it breaks you.And sometimes, through the toil, something wholly good finds its way into the light.Marrow Magazine invites you to submit to our May Day contest, “Labor Pains.” We’re seeking stories of strength and sacrifice: the ache before the becoming, the loss beneath the love, the price paid to make something matter. Whether it’s new life, fighting for better, in simply in service of what’s fair, we’re here for it.Show the work and what it took, and what it meant to survive it.Send us your stories, poems, essays, art, or hybrid pieces that wrestle with labor in all its forms — physical, emotional, creative, political, maternal, spiritual. Fees Notice: This project charges fees (or requires purchases) for all submissions. The fee is USD $10 (below average for contests). Country of Publication United States Publication Medium & Contest Frequency Electronic Publication Electronic PublicationOne-time contest AI Policy Unknown AI policy Collapse section Fiction Closed Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: Flash Fiction: No specific word count limits known (our definition: up to 1000 words). Short Story: No specific word count limits known (our definition: 1000 to 7500 words).Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Other: May vary.Winner's Prize:Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Professional payment. Details: USD $250 winning prize.Submissions:Method: Online form. Reprints: Unknown.Simultaneous submissions: Unknown.Multiple entries: Unknown.Media: Audio. Image. Text. Video. Collapse section Nonfiction Closed Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Lengths: Narrative Nonfiction: No word count limits.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Other: May vary.Winner's Prize:Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Professional payment. Details: USD $250 winning prize.Submissions:Method: Online form. Reprints: Unknown.Simultaneous submissions: Unknown.Multiple entries: Unknown.Media: Audio. Image. Text. Video. Collapse section Poetry Closed Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: Poem: No line limits known; Up to 3 pieces.Poetry Forms:Open to all/most Forms.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Other: May vary.Winner's Prize:Professional payment (US$50 or more per poem) Professional payment. Details: USD $250 winning prize.Submissions:Method: Online form. Reprints: Unknown.Simultaneous submissions: Unknown.Multiple entries: Unknown.Media: Audio. Image. Text. Video. Collapse section Visual Art Closed Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Lengths: Artwork: Up to 3 pieces.Art Media: Open to all/most Art Media.Art Styles:Open to all/most Art Styles.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Other: May vary.Winner's Prize:Professional payment (US$50 or more per piece) Professional payment. Details: USD $250 winning prize.Submissions:Method: Online form. Reprints: Unknown.Simultaneous submissions: Unknown.Multiple entries: Unknown.Media: Audio. Image. Text. Video. Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary. Go to contest webpage Report: Correction/Update Support this Publisher: Make a Donation Labor Pains Submission Statistics 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. Filter: Category: All Categories Fiction Nonfiction Poetry Visual Art Group by submission Include related projects Accuracy We have received 6 reports from 6 different members within the past 12 months. The more responses reported, the more accurate the information. Days Reported 6 min | 12.3 mean avg | 13.5 median | 16 max days (3.7 std dev) Other Information The most common submission fee paid: USD $10.00. Most recent response reported was received on 02 May 2026. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 17 Apr 2026. Date compiled: 17 Sep 2026 23:40 UTC (less than a minute ago). 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 ProjectsForgotten: A Marroween Contest CLOSED Charges fees for all submissionsMarrow MagazineRotten: A Valentine's Day Contest CLOSED 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: 22 May 2026 Cookie Consent: This site uses secure first-party cookies for essential, preference-setting, and statistical purposes. We do not use any marketing, advertising, or third-party cookies. Read our full cookie policy. Accept All Cookies Allow Essential Cookies Only