Drue Heinz Literature Prize

No entry fee
Deadline: 
June 30, 2024
Entry Fee: 
$0
Cash Prize: 
$15,000

A prize of $15,000 and publication by University of Pittsburgh Press is given annually for a collection of short fiction. Writers who have published at least one previous book of fiction or a minimum of three short stories or novellas in nationally distributed magazines or literary journals are eligible. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 150 to 300 pages between May 1 and June 30. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines. 

University of Pittsburgh Press, Drue Heinz Literature Prize, 7500 Thomas Boulevard, 4th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. Eileen O’Malley, Operations Administrator. 


E-mail address: 

Katherine Anne Porter Prize

Greater than $20
Deadline: 
June 30, 2024
Entry Fee: 
$25
Cash Prize: 
$1,000

A prize of $1,000 and publication by University of North Texas Press is given annually for a collection of short fiction. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 100 to 200 pages with a $25 entry fee between May 1 and June 30. Visit the website for complete guidelines. 

University of North Texas Press, Katherine Anne Porter Prize, 1155 Union Circle #311336, Denton, TX 76203. Joseph Alderman, Marketing Manager.

E-mail address: 

Fiction Prize

$1 to $20
Deadline: 
June 1, 2024
Entry Fee: 
$15
Cash Prize: 
$1,000

A prize of $1,000 and publication in Salamander is given annually for a short story. Kevin Wilson will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a story of up to 30 pages with a $15 entry fee, which includes a subscription to Salamander, between May 1 and June 1. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Salamander, Fiction Prize, Suffolk University, English Department, 73 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02108.

Short Story Contest

$1 to $20
Deadline: 
April 1, 2024
Entry Fee: 
$8
Cash Prize: 
$1,000

A prize of $1,000 and publication in Gemini Magazine is given annually for a short story. The editors will judge. Submit a story of any length with an $8 entry fee by April 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines. 

Gemini Magazine, Short Story Contest, P.O. Box 1485, Onset, MA 02558. (339) 309-9757. David A. Bright, Editor. 

First Novel Fellowship

Greater than $20
Deadline: 
March 15, 2024
Entry Fee: 
$33
Cash Prize: 
$10,000

A prize of $10,000 is given annually for a novel-in-progress by a U.S. writer who has not published a novel. The first runner-up receives $3,000 and the second runner-up receives $2,000. Using only the online submission system, submit the first 50 pages of a novel-in-progress and a synopsis of up to two pages with a $33 entry fee by March 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines. 

James Jones Literary Society, First Novel Fellowship, Wilkes University, Creative Writing Program, 84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766.

Award Series

Greater than $20
Deadline: 
February 28, 2024
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. For all prizes, 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: 

Fall Story Contest

Greater than $20
Deadline: 
November 30, 2023
Entry Fee: 
$27
Cash Prize: 
$2,500

A prize of $2,500 and publication in Narrative is given annually for a short story, a short short story, an essay, a short graphic narrative, a short work of memoir, or an excerpt from a longer work of prose. A second-place prize of $1,000 and publication in Narrative is also awarded. The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit up to 15,000 words of prose with a $27 entry fee by November 30. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Narrative, Fall Story Contest. Tom Jenks, Editor.

Pushcart Prizes

No entry fee
Deadline: 
December 1, 2023
Entry Fee: 
$0
Cash Prize: 
$0

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 or small presses during the current year. Editors may nominate up to six poems, short stories, novel chapters, or essays published, or scheduled to be published, in 2023; submit one copy of each work by December 1. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Pushcart Press, Pushcart Prizes, P.O. Box 380, Wainscott, NY 11975. (631) 324-9300. Bill Henderson, President.

Ronald Sukenick Innovative Fiction Contest

Greater than $20
Deadline: 
November 1, 2023
Entry Fee: 
$25
Cash Prize: 
$1,500

A prize of $1,500 and publication by Fiction Collective Two is given annually for a novel, a story collection, a novella, or a novella collection. U.S. writers who have not previously published a book with Fiction Collective Two are eligible. Ray Levy will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of any length with a brief bio and a $25 entry fee 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, 2023
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. U.S. writers who have published at least three books of fiction are eligible. Amina Cain will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of any length, a brief bio, and a list of three previously published books of fiction with a $25 entry fee 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: 

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