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 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.
University of North Texas
Cash Prize: $10,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 11/30/25
Genre: Poetry
Quarter After Eight
Cash Prize: $0
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 11/30/25
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $1,008.15 and publication in Quarter After Eight is given annually for a prose poem, a short short story, a micro essay, or other work of short prose....
read moreFish Publishing
Cash Prize: $3,528
Entry Fee: $26
Application Deadline: 11/30/25
Genre: Fiction
A prize of €3,000 (approximately $3,528) and publication in the annual Fish Publishing anthology is given annually for a short story. The winner will also be invited to attend...
read moreMichigan Quarterly Review
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 11/30/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Michigan Quarterly Review is given annually for a single poem. Hala Alyan will judge. Using only the online submission system,...
read moreBOA Editions
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 11/30/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication by BOA Editions is given annually for a debut book of poetry. Rigoberto González will judge. Submit a manuscript of 65 to 120 pages with a $30...
read moreGreen Linden Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 11/30/25
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 moreNew Millennium Writings
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 11/30/25
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Four prizes of $1,000 each are given biannually for a single poem, a short story, a short short story, and an essay. The winners also receive publication in New Millennium...
read moreMunster Literature Centre
Cash Prize: $2,353
Entry Fee: $8
Application Deadline: 11/30/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of €2,000 (approximately $2,353) and publication in Southword is given annually for a single poem. The winner will also receive a four-night hotel stay,...
read moreNina Riggs Poetry Foundation
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 11/30/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a single poem that examines relationships, family, or domestic life and was published in a book or magazine in the last three years....
read moreFive Points
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/1/25
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: 12/1/25
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 morePoetry International
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 12/1/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Poetry International is given annually for a single poem. The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit...
read moreAthenaeum of Philadelphia
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/1/25
Genre: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Up to two prizes of $1,000 each and an invitation to give a public lecture at the Athenaeum of Philadelphia is given annually for books of fiction and/or nonfiction published...
read morePushcart Press
Cash Prize: $0
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/1/25
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 moreWaywiser Books
Cash Prize: $3,000
Entry Fee: $29
Application Deadline: 12/1/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $3,000 and publication by Waywiser Books is given annually for a poetry collection by a poet who has published no more than one previous collection. The winner will...
read moreRegal House Publishing
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/1/25
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Regal House Publishing is given annually for a story collection. Heather Bell Adams will judge. Using only the online submission system,...
read moreMeadowlark Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/1/25
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 moreSlipstream Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/1/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000, publication by Slipstream Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a poetry chapbook. The editors will judge. Submit a manuscript of up to 40 pages...
read moreNarratively
Cash Prize: $3,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 12/7/25
Genre: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $3,000 and publication on Narratively’s storytelling platform is given annually for a short work of memoir written in the first person. The winner will also be...
read moreFriends of American Writers
Cash Prize: $2,500
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/13/25
Genre: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
A prize of around $2,500 is given annually for a book of fiction or creative nonfiction published during the current year that is set in the Midwest or by a writer who is a...
read morePoetry Society of America
Cash Prize: $20,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/15/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $20,000 is given annually for a unified and complete sequence of poems published in the United States in a print or online journal, a chapbook, or a book during the...
read morePoetry Society of America
Cash Prize: $2,500
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 12/15/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $2,500 and publication on the Poetry Society of America website is given annually to a poet over 40 who has published no more than one poetry collection. Using only...
read moreStory
Cash Prize: $1,500
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/15/25
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,500 and publication in Story is given annually for a short story. Deesha Philyaw will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a story of...
read moreWriter’s Digest
Cash Prize: $3,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 12/15/25
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $3,000 is given annually for a short short story. The winner is also provided money for travel and lodging expenses to attend the Writer’s Digest Annual Conference....
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