A prize of $1,000 and publication in Only Poems will be given annually for a single poem that is in the spirit of Leonard Cohen and “deals in some way with the...
read moreWriting Contests, Grants & Awards
The Writing Contests, Grants & Awards database includes details about the creative writing contests—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, and more—that we’ve published in Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year. We carefully review the practices and policies of each contest before including it. Ours is the most trusted resource for legitimate writing contests available anywhere.
Academy of American Poets
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 11/15/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication on the Academy of American Poets website in the Poem-a-Day series is given annually for a poem that helps readers recognize “the vulnerable...
read moreCommonwealth Club of California
Cash Prize: $2,500
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 11/15/26
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Five prizes of $2,500 each are given annually for a poetry collection, a book of fiction, a first book of fiction, a book of creative nonfiction, and a book dealing with a...
read moreArkansas International
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 11/15/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Arkansas International will be given annually for a single poem. Writers who have not published a poetry collection by May 1, 2027...
read moreLitMag
Cash Prize: $1,500
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 11/15/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,500 and publication in LitMag is given annually for a single poem. The winner will also have their work reviewed by agents Amy Bishop-Wycisk (Trellis...
read moreFordham University at Lincoln Center
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $28
Application Deadline: 11/15/26
Genre: Poetry
Two prizes of $1,000 each and publication by Fordham University Press are given annually for poetry collections. The winners also receive a one-on-one publicity consultation...
read moreNightboat Books
Cash Prize: $1,200
Entry Fee: $28
Application Deadline: 11/15/26
Genre: Poetry
Up to four prizes of $1,200 each, publication by Nightboat Books, and 25 author copies are given annually for poetry collections. The editors will judge. Using only the online...
read morePerugia Press
Cash Prize: $2,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 11/15/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $2,000, publication by Perugia Press, and 20 author copies is given annually for a first or second poetry collection by a woman poet, inclusive of all gender-...
read moreFine Arts Work Center
Cash Prize: $1,300
Entry Fee: $40
Application Deadline: 11/15/26
Fellowships for a seven-month residency at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Massachusetts, are given annually to four poets and four fiction writers who have not...
read moreGunpowder Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 11/16/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000, bilingual publication in English and Spanish by Gunpowder Press, and 10 author copies will be given annually for a poetry chapbook by a Latinx poet who is...
read moreCommunity of Literary Magazines & Presses
Cash Prize: $2,000
Entry Fee: $65
Application Deadline: 11/18/26
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Three prizes of $2,000 each are given annually for a book of poetry, a book of fiction, and a book of creative nonfiction published by an independent press in the current year...
read moreBeloit Poetry Journal
Cash Prize: $2,500
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 11/30/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $2,500, publication by Beloit Poetry Journal, and 50 author copies is given annually for a poetry chapbook. The editors will judge. Using only the online...
read moreUniversity of Georgia Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 11/30/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication by University of Georgia Press is given annually for a poetry collection. The winner is also invited to read from their book at the Georgia...
read moreGreen Linden Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 11/30/26
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Green Linden Press is given annually for a book of poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction translated from any language into English....
read moreMunster Literature Centre
Cash Prize: $2,330
Entry Fee: $8
Application Deadline: 11/30/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of €2,000 (approximately $2,330) and publication in Southword is given annually for a single poem. The winner will also receive a four-night hotel stay,...
read moreWhite Pine Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 11/30/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication by White Pine Press is given annually for a poetry collection. Submit a manuscript of 60 to 80 pages with a $20 entry fee by November 30....
read moreUniversity of North Texas
Cash Prize: $10,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 11/30/26
Genre: Poetry
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...
read moreBoa Editions
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 11/30/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Boa Editions is given annually for a debut book of poetry. Jennifer Chang will judge. Submit a manuscript of 65 to 120 pages with a $30...
read moreMichigan Quarterly Review
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 11/30/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Michigan Quarterly Review is given annually for a single poem. Geffrey Davis will judge. Using only the online submission system,...
read moreGreen Linden Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 11/30/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Green Linden Press is given annually for an innovative book of poetry “that questions the boundaries of genre, form, or mode while engaging...
read moreFive Points
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/1/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Five Points is given annually for a group of poems. The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit up to...
read moreAfrican Poetry Book Fund
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/1/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication by University of Nebraska Press is given annually for a debut poetry collection by an African poet. Writers who were born in Africa, are...
read morePushcart Press
Cash Prize: $0
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/1/26
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Publication in The Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses is awarded annually for works of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction published by literary magazines...
read moreMeadowlark Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/1/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000, publication by Meadowlark Press, and 50 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript...
read more