March/April 2026 - Recent Winners

Academy of American Poets

Wallace Stevens Award

Cornelius Eady of Knoxville, Tennessee, won the 2025 Wallace Stevens Award. Eady, whose most recent collection is Hardheaded Weather (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2008), received $100,000. The Academy’s board of chancellors judged. The annual award is given to a poet to “recognize outstanding artistic achievement in the art of poetry.” There is no application process.

Academy of American Poets Fellowship

Aracelis Girmay of East Bay, California, won the 2025 Academy of American Poets Fellowship. Girmay, whose most recent collection is Green of All Heads (Boa Editions, 2025), received $25,000 and a residency at the T. S. Eliot House in Gloucester, Massachusetts. The Academy’s board of chancellors judged. The annual fellowship is given to an American poet for distinguished poetic achievement. There is no application process.

Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize

Fady Joudah of Houston won the 2025 Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize for […] (Milkweed Editions). He received $25,000; a 10-day residency at Glen Hollow in Naples, New York; and distribution of his book to members of the Academy of American Poets. Hayan Charara, Suzanne Gardinier, and Lisa Olstein judged. The annual award is given for a poetry collection published in the United States in the previous year. (See Deadlines.)

James Laughlin Award

Diamond Forde of Asheville, North Carolina, won the 2025 James Laughlin Award for The Book of Alice (Scribner). She received $5,000; an all-expenses-paid weeklong residency at the Betsy Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida; and distribution of her book to members of the Academy of American Poets. Tyree Daye, Richie Hofmann, and Donika Kelly judged. The annual award is given for a poet’s second collection, forthcoming in the next calendar year. (See Deadlines.)

Academy of American Poets, 75 Maiden Lane, Suite 901, New York, NY 10038. Ry Cook, Senior Programs Manager.
awards@poets.org poets.org/academy-american-poets/american-poets-prizes

American Literary Translators Association

Lucien Stryk Asian Translation Prize

Colin Leemarshall of Kent, England, won the 2025 Lucien Stryk Asian Translation Prize for his translation from the Korean of Lee Sumyeong’s poetry collection Just Like (Black Ocean). He received $10,000. Hedgie Choi, Thúy Đinh, and Rahul Soni judged. The annual award is given for a book of poetry or a text from Zen Buddhism translated from an Asian language into English and published in the previous year. (See Deadlines.)

Italian Prose in Translation Award

Brian Robert Moore of New Haven, Connecticut, won the 2025 Italian Prose in Translation Award for his translation of Michele Mari’s novel Verdigris (And Other Stories). He received $5,000. Anne Greeott, Hope Campbell Gustafson, and Jonathan R. Hiller judged. The annual award is given for a book of fiction or nonfiction translated from the Italian into English and published in the previous year. (See Deadlines.)

Spain-USA Foundation Translation Award

Lilit Žekulin Thwaites of Melbourne, Australia, won the 2025 Spain-USA Foundation Translation Award for her translation from the Spanish of Luisa Etxenike’s novel Crossing Waters (Sundial House). She received $5,000. Lucia Aranda, Amaia Gabantxo, and Elizabeth Lowe judged. The annual award is given for a book of fiction or nonfiction written by an author of Spanish nationality that was translated from the Basque, Catalan, Galician, or Spanish into English and published in the United States or Canada in the previous year. (See Deadlines.)

National Translation Awards

Daniel Owen of Albany, California, won the 2025 National Translation Award in Poetry for his translation from the Indonesian of Afrizal Malna’s poetry collection Document Shredding Museum (World Poetry Books). Conor Bracken, Dongshin Chang, and Rachel Galvin judged. Barbara Romaine won the National Translation Award in Prose for her translation from the Arabic of Omar Khalifah’s novel Sand-Catcher (Coffee House Press). Peter Constantine, Ilze Duarte, George Henson, Hoyoung Moon, and Manjushree Thapa judged. Owen and Romaine each received $4,000. The annual awards are given for a book of poetry and a book of prose translated from any language into English and published in the previous year. (See Deadlines.)

ALTA First Translation Prize

Lin King of New York City and Taipei and Yuka Igarashi of Honolulu won the 2025 ALTA First Translation Prize for King’s translation from the Mandarin Chinese of Yáng Shuāng-zĭ’s novel Taiwan Travelogue (Graywolf Press), edited by Igarashi. King was awarded $2,000, and Igarashi received $1,000. CJ Evans, Jiyoon Lee, and David M. Smith judged. The annual award is given to an emerging literary translator and their editor(s) for a debut translation of a book of poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction from any language into English published in the previous year. (See Deadlines.)

American Literary Translators Association, 5151 E. Broadway Boulevard, Suite 1700 #5003, Tucson, AZ 85711. (520) 201-5286. Rachael Daum, Communications and Awards Director.
rachaeldaum@literarytranslators.org literarytranslators.org/awards

Arrowsmith Press

Derek Walcott Prize for Poetry

Theresa Lola of London and Mary O’Malley of Galway, Ireland, won the 2025 Derek Walcott Prize for Poetry. Lola won for Ceremony for the Nameless (Penguin) and O’Malley won for The Shark Nursery (Carcanet Press). They each received $1,000. Ishion Hutchinson judged. The annual award is given for a poetry collection published in the previous year that is written in English (or published in English translation) by an author who is not a citizen of the United States. (See Deadlines.)

Arrowsmith Press, Derek Walcott Prize for Poetry, 11 Chestnut Street, Medford, MA 02155. Askold Melnyczuk, Editor and Publisher.
arrowsmithpress@gmail.com arrowsmithpress.com/walcott

Association of Writers & Writing Programs

Award Series

Four writers won the 2025 Association of Writers & Writing Programs Award Series prizes. John Bonanni of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, won the $5,500 Donald Hall Prize for Poetry. His poetry collection, retrovirology, selected by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, will be published by University of Pittsburgh Press. Adam Peterson of Los Angeles won the $5,500 Grace Paley Prize for Short Fiction. His story collection, Gospels, selected by Kevin Wilson, will be published by Mad Creek Books. Chital Mehta of Middletown, Delaware, won the $5,500 James Alan McPherson Prize for the Novel. Her novel, Have You Seen Romit?, selected by R. O. Kwon, will be published by University of Nebraska Press. Brittany Perham of San Francisco won the $2,500 Sue William Silverman Prize for Creative Nonfiction. Her memoir, Executrix, selected by Cheryl Strayed, will be published by University of Georgia Press. The annual awards are given for books of poetry, short fiction, fiction, and creative nonfiction. The next deadline is February 28, 2027.

Association of Writers & Writing Programs, Award Series, 440 Monticello Avenue, Suite 1802, PMB 73708, Norfolk, VA 23510. (240) 696-7700.
awp@awpwriter.org awpwriter.org/awp/contests/awp-award-series/overview.aspx

Autumn House Press

Poetry Prize

Laurie Ann Guerrero of San Antonio, Texas, won the 23rd annual Autumn House Poetry Prize for REDWORK. She received $1,000, and her poetry collection will be published by Autumn House Press in October. She will also receive a $1,500 travel grant for promotion of her book. Matthew Olzmann judged. The annual award is given for a poetry collection. The next deadline is June 30.

Fiction Prize

Adam O’Fallon Price of Carrboro, North Carolina, won the 18th annual Autumn House Fiction Prize for Objects of Desire. He received $1,000, and his story collection will be published by Autumn House Press in October. He will also receive a $1,500 travel grant for promotion of his book. Alexandra Kleeman judged. The annual award is given for a story collection, novella collection, novella, or novel. The next deadline is February 28, 2027.

Nonfiction Prize

Starr Davis of Houston won the 14th annual Autumn House Nonfiction Prize for her essay collection, I Am Mostly Bad Blood. She received $1,000, and her book will be published by Autumn House Press in October. She will also receive a $1,500 travel grant for promotion of her book. May-lee Chai judged. The annual award is given for a book of creative nonfiction. (See Deadlines.)

Autumn House Press. Christine Stroud, Editor in Chief.
info@autumnhouse.org autumnhouse.org

Beloit Poetry Journal

Adrienne Rich Award for Poetry

Sydney Mayes of Nashville won the 2025 Adrienne Rich Award for Poetry for “Golden Glosa with My Hand Atop My Mother’s.” She received $1,500 and publication in Beloit Poetry Journal. Nikky Finney judged. The annual award is given for a single poem. (See Deadlines.)

Beloit Poetry Journal, Adrienne Rich Award for Poetry, P.O. Box 1450, Windham, ME 04062. Rachel Contreni Flynn and Kirun Kapur, Editors.
bpj@bpj.org bpj.org

Black Lawrence Press

Hudson Prize

Greg Nicholl of Columbus, Ohio, won the 2025 Hudson Prize for his poetry collection, Ghost in the Graveyard. He received $1,000, publication by Black Lawrence Press, and 10 author copies. The editors and a panel of former Hudson Prize winners judged. The annual award is given for a collection of poems, short stories, essays, or hybrid work. (See Deadlines.)

Black Lawrence Press, Hudson Prize. Diane Goettel, Executive Editor.
editors@blacklawrencepress.com blacklawrencepress.com

Bomb

Fiction Contest

Matt Weinstock of New York City won the 2025 Bomb Fiction Contest for “Whatever Happened to Jupenlaz?” He received $1,000 and publication in the Fall 2025 issue of Bomb. Kelly Link judged. The biennial award is given for a work of short fiction. As of this writing, the next deadline has not been set.

Bomb, Fiction Contest, 80 Hanson Place, #703, Brooklyn, NY 11217. (718) 636-9100.
firstproof@bombsite.com bombmagazine.org

Booker Prize Foundation

Booker Prize

David Szalay of Vienna won the 2025 Booker Prize for Flesh (Jonathan Cape). He received £50,000 (approximately $67,315). The finalists were Susan Choi, Kiran Desai, and Katie Kitamura, all of New York City, for Flashlight (Jonathan Cape), The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny (Hamish Hamilton), and Audition (Fern Press), respectively; Ben Markovits of London for The Rest of Our Lives (Faber); and Andrew Miller of Somerset, England, for The Land in Winter (Sceptre). The finalists, including the winner, each received £2,500 (approximately $3,365). Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀, Roddy Doyle, Sarah Jessica Parker, Chris Power, and Kiley Reid judged. The annual award is given for a novel written in English and published in the United Kingdom and Ireland in the previous year. As of this writing, the next deadline has not been set.

Booker Prize Foundation, Booker Prize, Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA, England.
bookersubmissions@bookerprizefoundation.org thebookerprizes.com

Boulevard

Nonfiction Contest for Emerging Writers

Mohammad Hakima of New York City won the 2024 Nonfiction Contest for Emerging Writers for “Shadows on the Wall.” He received $1,000, and his essay was published in Issue Nos. 117 and 118 of Boulevard. The annual award is given for an essay by a writer who has not published a full-length book of poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction with a nationally distributed press. The next deadline is September 30.

Boulevard, Nonfiction Contest for Emerging Writers, 3829 Hartford Street, St. Louis, MO 63116. Dusty Freund, Editor.
editors@boulevardmagazine.org boulevardmagazine.org

The Center for Fiction

First Novel Prize

Darrell Kinsey of Watkinsville, Georgia, won the 2025 First Novel Prize for Natch (University of Iowa Press). He received $15,000. The finalists were Colwill Brown of Austin for We Pretty Pieces of Flesh (Henry Holt); Rickey Fayne of Madison, Wisconsin, for The Devil Three Times (Little, Brown); Justin Haynes of Atlanta for Ibis (Overlook Press); Alejandro Heredia of Las Vegas for Loca (Simon & Schuster); Mariam Rahmani of Bennington, Vermont, for Liquid (Algonquin Books); and Shubha Sunder of Boston for Optional Practical Training (Graywolf Press). They each received $1,000. Xochitl Gonzalez, Adam Haslett, Tracy O’Neill, and Joseph Earl Thomas judged. The annual award is given for a debut novel published in the United States during the award year. (See Deadlines.)

The Center for Fiction, First Novel Prize, 15 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217. (212) 755-6710.
info@centerforfiction.org centerforfiction.org/grants-awards/the-first-novel-prize

Conduit Books & Ephemera

Marystina Santiestevan First Book Prize

David A. Reyes of Tucson won the 2025 Marystina Santiestevan First Book Prize for A Symptom of Continuity. He received $1,500, publication by Conduit Books & Ephemera, and 15 author copies. Bob Hicok judged. The annual award is given for a debut poetry collection. The next deadline is July 7.

Conduit Books & Ephemera, Marystina Santiestevan First Book Prize, 788 Osceola Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105. William D. Waltz, Editor in Chief. conduitmagazine@gmail.com conduit.org

Crook’s Corner Book Prize Foundation

Book Prize

Melissa Mogollon of Newport, Rhode Island, won the 2026 Crook’s Corner Book Prize for Oye (Hogarth, 2025). She received $5,000. Clyde Edgerton judged. The annual award is given for a debut novel set primarily in the American South. (See Deadlines.)

Crook’s Corner Book Prize Foundation, Book Prize, 110 Cedar Pond Lane, Chapel Hill, NC 27517. (919) 593-4498. Megan Crunkleton, President.
info@crookscornerbookprize.com crookscornerbookprize.com

DIAGRAM/New Michigan Press

Chapbook Contest

Jacob Griffin Hall of Columbia, Missouri, won the 2025 DIAGRAM/New Michigan Press Chapbook Contest for his poetry collection Chivo. He received $1,000, and his chapbook will be published by New Michigan Press in March. Ander Monson judged. The annual award is given for a chapbook of poetry, prose, or hybrid work. (See Deadlines.)

DIAGRAM/New Michigan Press, Chapbook Contest, University of Arizona, English Department, P.O. Box 210067, Tucson, AZ 85721. Ander Monson, Editor.
editor@thediagram.com thediagram.com/contest.html

Flamboyan Foundation

Letras Boricuas Fellowships

Twenty writers each received 2025 Letras Boricuas Fellowships, sponsored by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Flamboyan Foundation’s Arts Fund. Ivelisse Álvarez of Ithaca, New York; Alejandro Álvarez Nieves of San Juan; Nicole Cecilia Delgado of Isabela, Puerto Rico; Juanmanuel González-Ríos of Hatillo, Puerto Rico; Gegman Lee of Cupey, Puerto Rico; Raina J. León of Philadelphia; Tony Medina of Washington, D.C.; Ana Portnoy Brimmer of Puerto Rico; Katerina I. Ramos-Jordán of Providence; and Ángel Antonio Ruiz Laboy of New York City received fellowships in poetry. Hermes Ayala of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico; Mobéy Lola Irizarry and Jesús-Papoleto Meléndez, both of New York City; and melissa orsini of Morovis, Puerto Rico, received fellowships in spoken word. Gabriel Carle and Ernesto Quiñonez, both of New York City; Juan Carlos Quiñones of Puerto Rico; and Lilliam Rivera of Los Angeles received fellowships in fiction. Lucas Rivera of Los Angeles and Luis Trelles of San Juan received fellowships in creative nonfiction. The fellows each received grants of $25,000. The fellowships are given to “identify, elevate, and amplify the voices of emerging and established Puerto Rican writers on the archipelago and across the United States diaspora.” As of this writing, the next deadline has not been set.

Flamboyan Foundation, Letras Boricuas Fellowships, 1730 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20036.
info@flamboyanfoundation.org letrasboricuas.org

Florida Review

Editor’s Prizes

Samuel Piccone of Ames, Iowa, won the 2025 Editor’s Prize in poetry for “Black Thumb.” Sharon Wahl of Tucson won the prize in fiction for “Driving Lessons.” Sheree Chua of the Philippines won the prize in creative nonfiction for “Oralities: Sea, Salt, and Bone.” They will each receive $1,000, and their winning works will be published in the Spring 2026 issue of Florida Review. The editors judged. The annual awards are given for a poem or group of poems, a short story, and an essay. (See Deadlines.)

Florida Review, Editor’s Prizes, University of Central Florida, English Department, P.O. Box 161346, Orlando, FL 32816. David James Poissant, Editor and Director.
flreview@ucf.edu cah.ucf.edu/floridareview

Four Way Books

Levis Prize in Poetry

Amanda Maret Scharf of Los Angeles won the 2025 Levis Prize in Poetry for To Make a Bell Ring Back. She received $1,000, and her collection will be published by Four Way Books in March 2027. She will also be invited to participate in a reading either virtually or in person in New York City, as public health guidelines allow. Kimiko Hahn judged. The annual award is given for a poetry collection. (See Deadlines.)

Four Way Books, Levis Prize in Poetry, 11 Jay Street, # 4, New York, NY 10013. (212) 334-5430. Ryan Murphy, Director.
editors@fourwaybooks.com fourwaybooks.com

Georgia Review

Loraine Williams Poetry Prize

Mercedes Rodriguez of Los Angeles won the 13th annual Loraine Williams Poetry Prize for “Diabetes.” They received $1,500 and publication in the Spring 2026 issue of Georgia Review. Brandon Som judged. The annual award is given for a single poem. (See Deadlines.)

Georgia Review, Loraine Williams Poetry Prize, University of Georgia, 706A Main Library, 320 South Jackson Street, Athens, GA 30602. (706) 542-3481. Aria Curtis, Marketing and Outreach Manager.
garev@uga.edu thegeorgiareview.com/the-loraine-williams-poetry-prize

Ghost Story

Supernatural Fiction Award

Joseph Bathanti of Vilas, North Carolina, won the Fall 2025 Supernatural Fiction Award for “Kesh.” He received $1,500, and his story was published on the Ghost Story website. The editors judged. The award is given biannually for a short story with a supernatural or magical realist theme. (See Deadlines.)

Ghost Story, Supernatural Fiction Award, P.O. Box 601, Union, ME 04862. Paul Guernsey, Editor.
editor@theghoststory.com theghoststory.com/tgs-fiction-award

Grayson Books

Poetry Contest

Michael Garrigan of Marietta, Pennsylvania, won the 2025 Grayson Books Poetry Contest for Ghost Hunting Glaciers. He received $1,000, and his book will be published by Grayson Books. He will also receive 10 author copies. Alberto Ríos judged. The annual award is given for a poetry collection. The next deadline is August 15.

Grayson Books, Poetry Contest, P.O. Box 270549, West Hartford, CT 06127. Ginny Connors, Founder.
gconnors@graysonbooks.com graysonbooks.com/pages/poetry-contests

Hurston/Wright Foundation

Zora Awards

Carl Phillips of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, won the 2025 Zora Award for Poetry for his collection Scattered Snows, to the North (Farrar, Straus and Giroux). Percival Everett of Los Angeles won in fiction for his novel James (Doubleday). Sarai Johnson of Alexandria, Virginia, won in debut fiction for her novel, Grown Women (Harper). Alexis Pauline Gumbs of Durham, North Carolina, and Catherine Joy White of Oxford, England, both won in nonfiction for Survival Is a Promise: The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) and This Thread of Gold: A Celebration of Black Womanhood (Tiny Reparations Books), respectively. Johnson received $20,000. Chanda Feldman, Hoke S. Glover III, and Courtney Faye Taylor judged in poetry; Natashia Deón and Amina Gautier judged in fiction; Alaya Dawn Johnson and Sifiso Mzobe judged in debut fiction; and Morgan Christie judged in nonfiction. The annual awards, formerly known as the Legacy Awards, are given for books of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction written by Black authors and published in the previous year. As of this writing, the next deadline has not been set.

Hurston/Wright Foundation, Zora Awards, 10 G Street NE, Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20002.
info@hurstonwright.org hurstonwright.org

Kansas City Public Library

Maya Angelou Book Award

Alison C. Rollins of Madison, Wisconsin, won the 2025 Maya Angelou Book Award for her poetry collection Black Bell (Copper Canyon Press, 2024). She received $10,000. She will also participate in a reading tour of partnering educational institutions in Missouri. Taylor Byas judged. The award is given in alternating years for a poetry collection or a book of fiction by an author whose work “demonstrates a commitment to social justice.” (See Deadlines.)

Kansas City Public Library, Maya Angelou Book Award, 14 West 10th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105. (816) 701-3400. Kaite Mediatore Stover, Director of Readers’ Services.
angeloubookaward@kclibrary.org kclibrary.org/maba

Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Prizes

Lucas Schaefer of Austin, Scott Anderson of Jersey City, and Thao Lam of Toronto won the 2025 Kirkus Prizes. Schaefer won in fiction for his novel, The Slip (Simon & Schuster), and Anderson won in nonfiction for his book King of Kings: The Iranian Revolution: A Story of Hubris, Delusion, and Catastrophic Miscalculation (Doubleday). Lam won in young readers’ literature for her picture book Everybelly (Groundwood). They each received $50,000. Laurie Muchnick, Thérèse Purcell Nielsen, and Oscar Villalon judged in fiction. Calvin Crosby, Anita Felicelli, and John McMurtrie judged in nonfiction. Mahnaz Dar, Annette Y. Goldsmith, Erika Long, and Laura Simeon judged in young readers’ literature. The annual awards are given for a book of fiction, a book of nonfiction, and a book of young readers’ literature that were published in the previous year and received a starred review in Kirkus Reviews. There is no application process.

Kirkus Reviews, 1140 Broadway, Suite 802, New York, NY 10001. Tom Beer, Editor in Chief.
tbeer@kirkus.com kirkusreviews.com/prize

Munster Literature Centre

Seán Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition

Tim Collyer of Wiltshire, England, won the 2025 Seán Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition for “Spent Leaves.” He received €2,000 (approximately $2,334) and publication of his story in Southword. He also gave a featured reading at the 2025 Cork International Short Story Festival in Ireland. Laura Jean McKay judged. The annual award is given for a short story. The next deadline is July 31.

Munster Literature Centre, Seán Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition, Frank O’Connor House, 84 Douglas Street, Cork, Ireland T12 X802. Patrick Cotter, Artistic Director.
info@munsterlit.ie munsterlit.ie

Narrative

Narrative Prize

A. T. Steel of New York City won the 2025 Narrative Prize for his short story “Honey Buns and Cream Soda in the Stairwell.” He received $5,000. The annual award is given for a poem or group of poems, a short story, a novel excerpt, or a work of creative nonfiction by an emerging writer. (See Deadlines.)

Spring Story Contest

Massoud Moussavi of Washington, D.C., won the 2025 Spring Story Contest for his short story “Were All Stars to Disappear.” He received $2,500 and publication in Narrative. The annual award is given for a short story, a short short story, an essay, or an excerpt from a work of fiction or creative nonfiction. The next deadline is July 31.

Poetry Contest

Franke Varca of Atlanta won the 17th annual Poetry Contest for “The Trees Their Axes.” He received $1,500 and publication in Narrative. The annual award is given for a poem or group of poems. All entries are considered for publication. The next deadline is July 29.

Narrative. Tom Jenks, Editor.
contact@narrativemagazine.com narrativemagazine.com

National Book Foundation

National Book Awards

Patricia Smith of Pennington, New Jersey, won the 2025 National Book Award for Poetry for The Intentions of Thunder: New and Selected Poems (Scribner). The finalists in poetry were Gabrielle Calvocoressi of Durham, North Carolina, for The New Economy (Copper Canyon Press); Cathy Linh Che of New York City for Becoming Ghost (Washington Square Press); Tiana Clark of Roslindale, Massachusetts, for Scorched Earth (Washington Square Press); and Richard Siken of Tucson for I Do Know Some Things (Copper Canyon Press). Rabih Alameddine of Beirut and San Francisco won the National Book Award for Fiction for The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother) (Grove Press). The finalists in fiction were Megha Majumdar of New York City for A Guardian and a Thief (Knopf); Karen Russell of Portland, Oregon, for The Antidote (Knopf); Ethan Rutherford of Hartford for North Sun: Or, the Voyage of the Whaleship Esther (A Strange Object); and Bryan Washington of Tokyo for Palaver (Farrar, Straus and Giroux). Omar El Akkad of Portland, Oregon, won the National Book Award for Nonfiction for One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This (Knopf). The finalists in nonfiction were Julia Ioffe of Washington, D.C., for Motherland: A Feminist History of Modern Russia, From Revolution to Autocracy (Ecco); Yiyun Li of Princeton, New Jersey, for Things in Nature Merely Grow (Farrar, Straus and Giroux); Claudia Rowe of Seattle for Wards of the State: The Long Shadow of American Foster Care (Abrams Press); and Jordan Thomas of Boston for When It All Burns: Fighting Fire in a Transformed World (Riverhead Books). Daniel Nayeri of South Carolina won the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature for The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story (Levine Querido). The finalists in young people’s literature were Kyle Lukoff of Connecticut for A World Worth Saving (Dial Books for Young Readers); Amber McBride of Charlottesville, Virginia, for The Leaving Room (Feiwel & Friends); Hannah V. Sawyerr of Baltimore for Truth Is (Amulet Books); and Ibi Zoboi of Maplewood, New Jersey, for (S)Kin (Versify). Gabriela Cabezón Cámara of Argentina won the National Book Award for Translated Literature for We Are Green and Trembling (New Directions Publishing), translated from the Spanish by Robin Myers of Mexico City. The finalists in translated literature were Solvej Balle of Ærø, Denmark, for On the Calculation of Volume (Book III) (New Directions Publishing), translated from the Danish by Sophia Hersi Smith and Jennifer Russell, both of Copenhagen; Anjet Daanje of Groningen, the Netherlands, for The Remembered Soldier (New Vessel Press), translated from the Dutch by David McKay of the Hague, the Netherlands; Hamid Ismailov of Hertz, United Kingdom, for We Computers: A Ghazal Novel (Yale University Press), translated from the Uzbek by Shelley Fairweather-Vega of Seattle; and Neige Sinno of Basque Country, France, for Sad Tiger (Seven Stories Press), translated from the French by Natasha Lehrer of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France. Smith, Alameddine, El Akkad, and Nayeri each received $10,000; Cámara and Myers each received $5,000. The finalists each received $1,000 (to be split evenly between author and translator for the translated literature category). The poetry judges were Kate Daniels, Terrance Hayes, H. Melt, Anis Mojgani, and Caridad Moro-Gronlier; the fiction judges were Rumaan Alam, Debra Magpie Earling, Attica Locke, Elizabeth McCracken, and Cody Morrison; the nonfiction judges were Heather Kathleen Moody Hall, Tiya Miles, Raj Patel, Cristina Rivera Garza, and Eli Saslow; the young people’s literature judges were Cathy Berner, David Bowles, candice iloh, Jung Kim, and Maulik Pancholy; and the translated literature judges were Stesha Brandon, Sergio Gutiérrez Negrón, Bill Johnston, Annette K. Joseph-Gabriel, and Karen Tei Yamashita. The annual awards honor books of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, young people’s literature, and translated literature published in the United States during the award year. As of this writing, the next deadline has not been set.

National Book Foundation, National Book Awards, 90 Broad Street, Suite 604, New York, NY 10004. (212) 685-0261.
nationalbook@nationalbook.org nationalbook.org

North American Review

James Hearst Poetry Prize

Kelly Rowe of Flagstaff, Arizona, won the 2025 James Hearst Poetry Prize for “Out of Office Reply.” She received $1,000, and her poem was published in the Spring 2025 issue of North American Review. Stephanie Burt judged. The annual award is given for a single poem. The next deadline is November 1.

North American Review, James Hearst Poetry Prize, University of Northern Iowa, 1227 West 27th Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50614. (319) 273-6455.
nar@uni.edu northamericanreview.org

Orison Books

Prizes in Poetry and Fiction

Craig Beaven of Tallahassee, Florida, won the 2025 Orison Poetry Prize for his poetry collection Request to the God Trinket. Lance Tukell of New York City won the Orison Fiction Prize for his novel, In the Dark All Cats Are Gray. They each received $1,500, and their books will be published by Orison Books in 2027. Phillip B. Williams judged in poetry, and Tessa Fontaine judged in fiction. The annual awards are given for a poetry collection and a book of fiction. (See Deadlines.)

Orison Books, Prizes in Poetry and Fiction, P.O. Box 8385, Asheville, NC 28814. Luke Hankins, Editor.
publicity@orisonbooks.com orisonbooks.com

Pangyrus

Fiction Contest

Melissa DaCosta Brown of Washington, D.C., won the 2025 Pangyrus Fiction Contest for “Zebras.” She received $1,000 and publication in Pangyrus. Marjan Kamali judged. The biennial award is given for a short story. As of this writing, the next deadline has not been set.

Pangyrus, Fiction Contest, 2592 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140. (804) 514-6864. Virginia Pye, Fiction Editor.
virginia@virginiapye.com pangyrus.com

Pinch

Pinch Literary Award in Poetry

McKenzie Teter of Asheville, North Carolina, won the 2025 Pinch Literary Award in Poetry for “Fleeing (After Helene).” She received $2,000 and publication in the Fall 2025 issue of Pinch. Raye Hendrix judged. The annual award is given for a single poem. (See Deadlines.)

Pinch, Pinch Literary Award in Poetry, University of Memphis, 530 Patterson Street, Memphis, TN 38152. (901) 678-3268. Courtney Miller Santo, Editor in Chief.
editor@pinchjournal.com pinchjournal.com

Plough

Rhina Espaillat Poetry Award

Gail White of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, won the 2025 Rhina Espaillat Poetry Award for “The Left Hand of Saint Teresa.” She received $2,000 and publication in Plough. Jane Clark Scharl judged. The annual award is given for a single poem that reflects Rhina Espaillat’s “lyricism, attention to form, empathy, and ability to find grace in everyday events of life.” (See Deadlines.)

Plough, Rhina Espaillat Poetry Award, 151 Bowne Drive, P.O. Box 398, Walden, NY 12586. (845) 572-3455. Alina Meier, Marketing. info@plough.com plough.com/poetryaward

Ploughshares

Emerging Writers’ Contest

Lo Naylor of New York City and Jonathan Wolf of Gainesville, Florida, won the 2025 Emerging Writers’ Contest in poetry for “at the baggage claim in JFK” and “The Hog Farm,” respectively. Max Steiner of Berlin won in fiction for “Grace Zeroes Out.” Ennis Smith of New York City won in nonfiction for “Happy New Year.” They each received $2,000, publication of their work in the Winter 2025–2026 issue of Ploughshares, and a consultation with literary agency Aevitas Creative Management. Joshua Bennett judged in poetry, R. O. Kwon judged in fiction, and Elisa Gabbert judged in nonfiction. The annual awards are given for a poem or group of poems, a short story, and an essay. (See Deadlines.)

John C. Zacharis First Book Award

Olufunke Grace Bankole of Portland, Oregon, won the 35th annual John C. Zacharis First Book Award for her novel, The Edge of Water (Tin House, 2025). She received $1,500. Jamil Jan Kochai judged. The annual award is given in alternating years for a first poetry collection or first book of fiction by a writer whose work has been published in Ploughshares. The next deadline is June 30.

Ploughshares, Emerson College, 120 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116. (617) 824-3757. Rachel Dillon, Managing Editor.
pshares@pshares.org pshares.org

Poetry International

C.P. Cavafy Poetry Prize

Adedayo Agarau of Oakland won the 2024 C.P. Cavafy Poetry Prize for “Halloween, Iowa.” He received $1,000, and his poem will be published in Poetry International. Sandra Alcosser judged. The annual award is given for a single poem. The next deadline is December 1.

Poetry International, C.P. Cavafy Poetry Prize, San Diego State University, English and Comparative Literature Department, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182. Sandra Alcosser, Editor in Chief.
poetryintl@gmail.com poetryinternationalonline.com/cavafy-prize

Press 53

Award for Poetry

Amanda Chiado of Hollister, California, won the 2026 Press 53 Award for Poetry for Today I Wear the Bear Head. She will receive $1,000, publication by Press 53, and 53 author copies. Tom Lombardo judged. The annual award is given for a poetry collection. The next deadline is July 31.

Press 53, Award for Poetry, 560 North Trade Street, Suite 103, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. (336) 770-5353. Kevin Morgan Watson, Publisher and Editor in Chief.
kevin@press53.com press53.com/award-for-poetry

Syracuse University Press

Veterans Writing Award

William F. Polsgrove of Cooperstown, New York, won the 2025 Veterans Writing Award for his novel, Grace: A Cautionary Tale of Family and Mayhem. He received $1,000, and his book will be published by Syracuse University Press in spring 2027. Maurice Decaul judged. The biennial award alternates between fiction and nonfiction. The 2027 award will be given for a memoir, essay collection, or work of creative nonfiction by a U.S. veteran, an active-duty service member in any branch of the U.S. military, or the immediate family member of a veteran or active-duty service member. The next deadline is February 15, 2027.

Syracuse University Press, Veterans Writing Award, 621 Skytop Road, Suite 110, Syracuse, NY 13244. Lisa Kuerbis, Marketing and Sales Manager.
lkuerbis@syr.edu press.syr.edu/veterans-writing-award

Talking Gourds

Cantor Prize

Alicia Rebecca Myers of Fruita, Colorado, won the 8th annual Cantor Prize for “On the Anniversary of My Due Date, You Ask to Braid My Hair.” She received $1,000 and publication of her poem on the Talking Gourds website. José “Tony” Alcántara judged. The annual award is given for a single poem by a poet living in Colorado or a poet living outside of the state writing about events or places in Colorado. The next deadline is August 31.

Fischer Prize

Claire Blotter of Mill Valley, California, won the 29th annual Fischer Prize for “Water.” She received $1,000 and publication of her poem on the Talking Gourds website. Art Goodtimes judged. The annual award is given for a single poem. The next deadline is August 31.

Talking Gourds, P.O. Box 160, Norwood, CO 81423. (970) 729-0220. Art Goodtimes, Program Director.
art@tellurideinstitute.org tellurideinstitute.org/talking-gourds

Trio House Press

Louise Bogan Award

Reuben Gelley Newman of New York City won the 2025 Louise Bogan Award for Dear Dear. He received $1,000, and his collection will be published by Trio House Press in July. He will also receive 20 author copies. Randall Mann judged. The annual award is given for a poetry collection by a poet living in the United States. (See Deadlines.)

Trio Award for First or Second Book

Mai-Linh Hong of Merced, California, won the 2025 Trio Award for First or Second Book for Continental Drift. She received $1,000, and her collection will be published by Trio House Press in July. She will also receive 20 author copies. Sierra DeMulder judged. The annual award is given for a first or second poetry collection by a poet living in the United States. (See Deadlines.)

Aurora Polaris Creative Nonfiction Award

Jason Prokowiew of Massachusetts won the 2025 Aurora Polaris Creative Nonfiction Award for War Boys. He received $1,000, and his book will be published by Trio House Press in July. He will also receive 20 author copies. The editors judged. The annual award is given for a book of nonfiction by a writer living in the United States. (See Deadlines.)

Trio House Press, 2615 Emerson Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55408. Kris Bigalk, Executive Director.
editorial@triohousepress.org triohousepress.org/contests

Ursula K. Le Guin Foundation

Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction

Vajra Chandrasekera of New York City won the 2025 Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction for his novel Rakesfall (Tordotcom). He received $25,000. Matt Bell, Indra Das, Kelly Link, Sequoia Nagamatsu, and Rebecca Roanhorse judged. The annual award is given for a book of fiction published in the previous year. (See Deadlines.)

Ursula K. Le Guin Foundation, Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction, 9450 Southwest Gemini Drive, PMB 51842, Beaverton, OR 97008. Molly Templeton, Prize Administrator.
prizeforfiction@ursulakleguin.com ursulakleguin.com

White Pine Press

Poetry Prize

Elizabeth Chapman of Palo Alto, California, won the 31st annual White Pine Press Poetry Prize for Our Long Float. She received $1,000, and her book will be published by White Pine Press in the fall. Hélène Cardona judged. The annual award is given for a poetry collection. The next deadline is November 30.

White Pine Press, Poetry Prize, P.O. Box 236, Buffalo, NY 14201. Dennis Maloney, Editor and Publisher.
dennismaloney@yahoo.com whitepine.org

Whiting Foundation

Creative Nonfiction Grants

Paul Bogard of St. Paul; Jason Cherkis of Washington, D.C.; S.C. Cornell of Mexico City; Caitlin Dickerson and Avi Steinberg of New York City; Elena Dudum of London; Grace Elizabeth Hale of Charlottesville, Virginia; Will Haris of London; Alex Marzano-Lesnevich of Vancouver, Canada; and Raksha Vasudevan of Denver won 2025 Whiting Foundation Creative Nonfiction Grants. They each received $40,000. The annual awards are given to writers who are in the process of writing a book of nonfiction under contract with a publisher in Canada, the United Kingdom, or the United States as of April 23, 2025. As of this writing, the next deadline has not been set.

Whiting Foundation, Creative Nonfiction Grants, 291 Broadway, Suite 1901, New York, NY 10007. (718) 701-5962. Ruby Wang, Program Associate.
nonfiction@whiting.org whiting.org/writers/creative-nonfiction-grant

Willow Springs Books

Emma Howell Rising Poet Prize

Kristin Emanuel of St. Louis won the 2025 Emma Howell Rising Poet Prize for Birdwatching in the 4th Dimension. She won $2,000, and her book will be published by Willow Springs Books in spring 2026. Shann Ray judged. The annual award is given for a debut poetry collection by a poet 40 years old or younger. (See Deadlines.)

Willow Springs Books, Emma Howell Rising Poet Prize, 601 E Riverside Avenue, CAT 442, Spokane, WA 99202. Emily Ladd, Managing Editor.
willowspringsbooks@gmail.com willowspringsbooks.org

Winning Writers

Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest

Shelby Stewart of Sacramento, California, and Bea Chang of Seattle won the 33rd annual Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest. Stewart won in fiction for “Going and Going and Going,” and Chang won in nonfiction for “Requiem for a Bubble Tea.” They each received $3,500, a two-year gift certificate for membership to the literary database Duotrope, and publication on the Winning Writers website. Sarah Halper and Mina Manchester judged. The annual awards are given for a short story and an essay. (See Deadlines.)

Winning Writers, Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest, 351 Pleasant Street, Suite B PMB 222, Northampton, MA 01060. Adam Cohen, President.
info@winningwriters.com winningwriters.com/our-contests