LUDINGTON — Ludington Writers will be accepting submissions for its publications “Making Waves: A West Michigan Review” and “Beach Combing” beginning Jan. 1 to April, 2026. Both publications invite writers and artists to submit their original works, offering a platform to showcase diverse voices and perspectives.
“Making Waves: A West Michigan Review”
Submission Period: January 1 – April 30
Theme: “Temples & Prisons”
Writers and artists are encouraged to explore the idea of the sacred, sanctuary, subjugation and suffering that can be found in places, ideas, and our own bodies.
While Ludington Writers focuses on poetry, it also accepts visual art and short pieces of fiction and non-fiction. It is open to sequential art, speculative fiction, and scripts.
- Submissions can be made through WavesReview.Submittable.com.
- There are no fees for submitting.
- Full guidelines are available at LudingtonWriters.org/submissions.
The Making Waves editorial board is made up of Editor-in-Chief Nicole Birkett, Visual Arts Editor Linda Sandow, Associate Editor Kathlene Barrett, Assistant Editors Josh Berliner and Amanda Babcock, and guest editor Janice Zerfas.
“Beach Combings”
Submission Period: January 1 – April 30
Un-themed
Exclusively for members of Ludington Writers, Beach Combings seeks to highlight previously unpublished poetry, prose, and artwork from our local community. Members are defined as those who have attended at least one meeting in the last 12 months.
- Submit via WavesReview.Submittable.com
- There are no fees to submit via USPS or Submittable, WavesReview.Submittable.com
Beach Combings is helmed by Kathelene Barrett, barrettk1@live.com.
Guest Editors
Ludington Writers welcomes at least one high school student to participate as a guest editor for each edition of “Making Waves.”
To apply for a position as a guest editor, email MakingWavesReview@gmail.com with name, contact information, name and contact information for a parent/guardian, availability, and any relevant past experience and/or area(s) of interest (e.g. poetry, micro fiction, essays, etc.).
Proceeds
Copies of both publications are available for purchase at the Book Mark in Ludington, the Ludington Area Center for the Arts, and on Amazon.com. Book sales and donations help fund our scholarships, sponsorships, residencies, workshops and live readings.
Carol Bennett Memorial Scholarship
Ludington Writers invites applications for the 2026 Carol Bennett Memorial Scholarship.
This scholarship, in memory of Ludington Writers’ original board member Carol Bennett, supports aspiring writers in their pursuit of higher education. This scholarship is open to individuals of all ages, but especially encourages seniors in Mason, Oceana, Manistee, and Lake counties to apply.
The scholarship offers a value of $1,500.
- Application Period: January 1 – April 1, 2026
- Send inquiries about the application to Linda Sandow at lsandow@hotmail.com
- Results announced by May 1, 2026
George Dila Memorial Sponsorship
Ludington Writers announces the 2026 George Dila Memorial Sponsorship.
This sponsorship, in honor of Ludington Writers founder George Dila, supports members in attending writing events outside west Michigan. Active members, who have attended at least one meeting in the previous calendar year, can apply for up to $500 to cover actual expenses associated with the chosen event.
- Application Deadline: April 1, 2026
- Email Barry Matthews at bennett.dila@gmail.com for more information
- Limited to Ludington Writers members
Barry Matthews Continuing Education Scholarship
This is a new scholarship established by Ludington Writers board member and past president Barry Matthews.
Meant to encourage adults to continue their education, the total value of the scholarship will be $500.00 for 2026. It is not limited to residents of Mason County, however, winners may be required to read their winning submissions at a Ludington Writers meeting.
Applications will open January 1, 2026 close by 5:00 PM, April 1, 2025.
Applicants will be notified of the results by May 1, 2026.
Instructions: More information will be coming in the new year, but interested individuals should email bennett.dila@gmail.com.
Ludington Writers Meetings
Regular meetings of Ludington Writers will resume in January. The group meets every Tuesday in the Judith Minty room on the second floor of the Ludington Area Center for the Arts, 107 S. Harrison St. Second and Fourth Tuesday critiques may be joined virtually, via Zoom. Email MakingWavesReview@gmail.com to register to attend either in-person or virtually.
Learn more about Ludington Writers at LudingtonWriters.org.
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