Award Series

Greater than $20
Deadline: 
February 28, 2026
Entry Fee: 
$30
Cash Prize: 
$5,500

Three prizes of $5,500 each and publication by a participating press are given annually for a poetry collection, a short story collection, and a novel. A prize of $2,500 and publication by a participating press is also given annually for an essay collection or a memoir. For the Donald Hall Prize for Poetry, submit a manuscript of at least 48 pages. For the Grace Paley Prize for Short Fiction, submit a manuscript of 150 to 300 pages. For the James Alan McPherson Prize for the Novel, submit a manuscript of 60,000 to 110,000 words. For the Sue William Silverman Prize for Creative Nonfiction, submit a manuscript of 150 to 300 pages. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript with a $30 entry fee ($20 for AWP members) by February 28. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Association of Writers & Writing Programs, Award Series, 440 Monticello Avenue, Suite 1802, PMB 73708, Norfolk, VA 23510. (240) 696-7700.

E-mail address: 

Rilke Prize

No entry fee
Deadline: 
November 30, 2025
Entry Fee: 
$0
Cash Prize: 
$10,000

A prize of $10,000 is given annually for a poetry collection published in the current year by a midcareer poet. The winner will also give a reading and book signing at the University of North Texas in fall 2026. U.S. poets who have previously published at least two poetry collections are eligible. The University of North Texas poetry faculty will judge. Authors, editors, or publishers may submit three copies of a book published between November 1, 2024, and October 31, 2025, by November 30. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.

University of North Texas, Rilke Prize, English Department, 1155 Union Circle #311307, Denton, TX 76203.

E-mail address: 

Dorset Prize

Greater than $20
Deadline: 
December 31, 2025
Entry Fee: 
$30
Cash Prize: 
$3,000

A prize of $3,000, publication by Tupelo Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. The winner also receives a two-week residency at Gentle House in Port Angeles, Washington. Submit a manuscript of 48 to 88 pages with a $30 entry fee by December 31. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Tupelo Press, Dorset Prize, P.O. Box 1767, North Adams, MA 01247. (413) 664-9611. Kristina Marie Darling, Editor in Chief.

E-mail address: 

Hollis Summers Poetry Prize

Greater than $20
Deadline: 
December 31, 2025
Entry Fee: 
$30
Cash Prize: 
$1,000

A prize of $1,000 and publication by Ohio University Press is given annually for a poetry collection. Michael Prior will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 60 to 95 pages with a $30 entry fee by December 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Ohio University Press, Hollis Summers Poetry Prize, Ohio University, Alden Library, 30 Park Place, Athens, OH 45701. (740) 593-1154. Sally Welch, Acquisitions Administrator.

E-mail address: 

Literary Awards

No entry fee
Deadline: 
December 31, 2025
Entry Fee: 
$0
Cash Prize: 
$1,000

Four prizes of $1,000 each are given annually for a poetry collection, a debut novel, a book of fiction, and a book of nonfiction (including creative nonfiction) by African American writers published in the United States in the current year. The awards honor books that depict the “cultural, historical, or sociopolitical aspects of the Black Diaspora.” Publishers may nominate books published in 2025 by December 31. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for a list of jurors to whom books should be sent and complete guidelines.

Black Caucus of the American Library Association, Literary Awards, 129 William R. Harvey Way, Hampton, VA 23668. (757) 727-5185. Gladys Smiley Bell, Chair.

E-mail address: 

American Book Awards

No entry fee
Deadline: 
December 31, 2025
Entry Fee: 
$0
Cash Prize: 
$0

Awards are given annually for books published in the United States during the current year in recognition of “outstanding literary achievement from the entire spectrum of America’s diverse literary community.” Submit two copies (or bound galleys) of a book of any genre published in 2025 by December 31. Anyone may submit nominations for the awards. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for more information.

Before Columbus Foundation, American Book Awards, Raymond House, 655 13th Street, Suite 302, Oakland, CA 94612.

Ronald Sukenick Innovative Fiction Contest

Greater than $20
Deadline: 
November 1, 2025
Entry Fee: 
$25
Cash Prize: 
$3,000

A prize of $3,000 and publication by Fiction Collective Two is given annually for a novel, a story collection, a novella, or a novella collection. Writers who are from or are residing in the United States and who have not previously published a book with Fiction Collective Two are eligible. Alvin Lu will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of any length with a brief bio and a $25 entry fee (waivers are available based on financial need) by November 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Fiction Collective Two, Ronald Sukenick Innovative Fiction Contest, University of Alabama Press, P.O. Box 870380, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487. (205) 348-5180.

E-mail address: 

Catherine Doctorow Innovative Fiction Prize

Greater than $20
Deadline: 
November 1, 2025
Entry Fee: 
$25
Cash Prize: 
$15,000

A prize of $15,000 and publication by Fiction Collective Two, an imprint of University of Alabama Press, is given annually for a novel, a story collection, a novella, or a novella collection. Writers who are from or are residing in the United States and who have published at least three books are eligible. Kazim Ali will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of any length, a brief bio, and a list of at least three previously published books with a $25 entry fee (waivers are available based on financial need) by November 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Fiction Collective Two, Catherine Doctorow Innovative Fiction Prize, University of Alabama Press, P.O. Box 870380, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487. (205) 348-5180.

E-mail address: 

Juniper Prizes

Greater than $20
Deadline: 
September 30, 2025
Entry Fee: 
$30
Cash Prize: 
$1,000

Five prizes of $1,000 each and publication by University of Massachusetts Press are given annually for a debut poetry collection, a poetry collection by an author who has previously published a book, a short story collection, a novel, and a book of creative nonfiction. Using only the online submission system, submit a poetry manuscript of 60 to 95 pages, a story collection or novel of 55,000 to 75,000 words, or a memoir, book of narrative nonfiction, biography, or essay collection of 50,000 to 70,000 words with a $30 entry fee by September 30. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

University of Massachusetts Press, Juniper Prizes, East Experiment Station, 671 N. Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01003. Mary Dougherty, Director. 


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