Genre: Fiction

Literary Prize

Aspen Words
Entry Fee: 
$105
Deadline: 
August 4, 2025
A prize of $35,000 is given annually for a book of fiction published in the current year that “illuminates a vital contemporary issue and demonstrates the transformative power of literature on thought and culture.” Novels and story collections published in the United States in 2025 are eligible. Publishers may submit a digital copy along with a hard copy (or a bound galley) of the book with a $105 entry fee by August 4. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.

Maine Artist Fellowship

Maine Arts Commission
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
September 3, 2025
A fellowship of up to $5,000 is given annually to a poet, a fiction writer, a creative nonfiction writer, or a writer working in a genre outside these categories who is a resident of Maine and has lived in the state for at least one year. The fellow is expected to reside in the state for the year of the fellowship. Writers who are age 25 or older and are not enrolled in a degree-granting program are eligible. The fellowship committee can appoint a translator to assist in the review of work submitted in a language other than English. Using only the online submission system, submit up to five poems, stories, or essays of no more than eight pages each; an artist statement; and a résumé (or a brief bio) between July 23 and September 3. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Concord Free Public Library Writer-in-Residence Program

The Concord Free Public Library Writer-in-Residence Program offers a six-month residency from January to June to a poet, fiction writer, or creative nonfiction writer at the historic Concord Free Public Library (CFPL) in Concord, Massachusetts. The writer-in-residence is given a $10,000 stipend with the expectation that they will spend an average of eight hours a week at the library for the duration of the program and will develop public programming and social opportunities for the CFPL community.

Type: 
RESIDENCY
Ignore Event Date Field?: 
no
Event Date: 
January 1, 2026
Rolling Admissions: 
ignore
Application Deadline: 
December 11, 2025
Financial Aid?: 
no
Financial Aid Application Deadline: 
December 11, 2025
Free Admission: 
yes
Contact Information: 

Concord Free Public Library Writer-in-Residence Program, 129 Main Street, Concord, MA 01742. (978) 318-3383. Ricky Sirois, Assistant Library Director.

Ricky Sirois
Assistant Library Director
Contact City: 
Concord
Contact State: 
MA
Contact Zip / Postal Code: 
01742
Country: 
US

St. Lawrence Book Award

Black Lawrence Press
Entry Fee: 
$30
Deadline: 
August 31, 2025
A prize of $1,000, publication by Black Lawrence Press, and 10 author copies is given annually for a debut collection of poems, short stories, or essays. The editors and a panel of previous St. Lawrence Book Award winners will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a poetry manuscript of 45 to 95 pages or a prose manuscript of 120 to 280 pages with a $30 entry fee by August 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Summer Short Story Award for New Writers

Masters Review
Entry Fee: 
$20
Deadline: 
September 7, 2025
A prize of $3,000 and publication in Masters Review is given annually for a short story or an essay by an emerging writer. Writers who have not published a book, self-published writers, and writers who have published books only with indie presses are eligible. The winning story will also be sent to agents Victoria Cappello (Bent Agency), Sarah Fuentes (United Talent Agency), Andrea Morrison (Writers House), Heather Schroder (Compass Talent), Nat Sobel (Sobel Weber Associates), and Marin Takikawa (Friedrich Agency) for review. Submit a story or essay of up to 6,000 words with a $20 entry fee from July 1 to September 7. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Arteles Creative Center

The Arteles Creative Center’s Silence Awareness Existence Residency Program offers one-month residencies to poets, fiction writers, nonfiction writers, and translators from January to March in the countryside region of Hämeenkyrö, Finland. Each resident is provided with a private bedroom and desk as well as access to shared kitchens, bathrooms, and studio spaces in two residency buildings. Residents also have access to a range of facilities, including a library, a meditation space, a sauna, and common areas. Two cars are available for transportation and exploration.

Type: 
RESIDENCY
Ignore Event Date Field?: 
no
Event Date: 
January 1, 2026
Rolling Admissions: 
ignore
Application Deadline: 
December 11, 2025
Financial Aid?: 
no
Financial Aid Application Deadline: 
December 11, 2025
Free Admission: 
no
Contact Information: 

Arteles Creative Center, Hahmajärventie 26, 38490 Haukijärvi, Finland. Amber Harmon, Residency Coordinator. 

Amber Harmon
Residency Coordinator
Contact City: 
Hämeenkyrö, Finland

Writing Contest

Black Warrior Review
Entry Fee: 
$20
Deadline: 
August 1, 2025
Three prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Black Warrior Review are given annually for a poem, a short story, and an essay. Using only the online submission system, submit up to five poems of any length, a story of up to 7,000 words, or an essay of no more than 6,000 words with a $20 entry fee (fee waivers are available based on financial need) by August 1. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Seán Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition

Munster Literature Centre
Entry Fee: 
$21
Deadline: 
July 31, 2025
A prize of €2,000 (approximately $2,235) and publication in Southword is given annually for a short story. The winner also receives a four-night stay at a hotel to give a reading at the Cork International Short Story Festival in October. Laura Jean McKay will judge. Submit a story of up to 3,000 words with a €19 (approximately $21) entry fee by July 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Vashon Artist Residency

The Vashon Artist Residency offers two- and four-week residencies from January to November to poets, fiction writers, creative nonfiction writers, and translators on Vashon Island, a 20-minute ferry ride from Seattle. Residents are provided with a private room, a bathroom, and a shared kitchen, as well as access to a shared studio. Residents are responsible for travel and meal costs. The cost of the residency is determined on a sliding scale based on financial need; the full price is $1,875 for four weeks and $1,125 for two weeks.

Type: 
RESIDENCY
Ignore Event Date Field?: 
no
Event Date: 
January 1, 2026
Rolling Admissions: 
ignore
Application Deadline: 
December 11, 2025
Financial Aid?: 
no
Financial Aid Application Deadline: 
December 11, 2025
Free Admission: 
no
Contact Information: 

Vashon Artist Residency, 23125 Kingsbury Road SW, Vashon, WA 98070. (206) 408-7099. Heather Dwyer, Executive Director.

Heather Dwyer
Executive Director
Contact City: 
Vashon
Contact State: 
WA
Contact Zip / Postal Code: 
98070
Country: 
US

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