Genre: Poetry

Effort

10.7.25

For the Poetry Society of America’s “In Their Own Words” series, Suzanne Buffam writes about her poem “Trying,” which circles around the effort to conceive a child. “The poem became, in a sense, a meditation on effort, in which the suspension of effort was the aim of my efforts,” writes Buffam. “I gave myself one constraint. Each paragraph I wrote would have to contain some form of the verb ‘to try.’” Taking inspiration from Buffam’s constraint for her piece, compose a poem that explores your process trying to reach a goal, whether big or small, tangible or more abstract. Play around with different forms of the verb “to try,” or another verb that gestures at effort, paying careful consideration to how the word conveys a sensation of persistence over the course of time and through various obstacles and setbacks.

Writing Fellowships

Fine Arts Work Center
Entry Fee: 
$40
Deadline: 
November 15, 2025

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 published a full-length book in any genre. Each fellowship includes a private apartment, a monthly stipend of $1,250, and an exit stipend of $1,000. To apply for fellowships beginning in October 2026, submit up to 15 pages of poetry or 35 pages of fiction (include a synopsis if submitting a novel) and a curriculum vitae with a $40 entry fee before noon (EST) on November 15; submissions are also accepted from noon on November 15 to before noon on December 1 with a $55 entry fee, and from noon on December 1 to midnight on December 15 with a $65 entry fee. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.

Nina Riggs Poetry Award

Nina Riggs Poetry Foundation
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
November 30, 2025

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. Nominate up to 30 poems published in a book or magazine in 2023, 2024, or 2025 by November 30. No more than six nominated poems written by the same author or published in the same book or magazine. Self-nominations are not accepted. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Poetry Prize

White Pine Press
Entry Fee: 
$20
Deadline: 
November 30, 2025

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. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

James Dickey Prize for Poetry

Five Points
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
December 1, 2025

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 three poems of no more than 50 lines each with a $25 entry fee, which includes a subscription to Five Points, by December 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Hollis Summers Poetry Prize

Ohio University Press
Entry Fee: 
$30
Deadline: 
December 31, 2025

A prize of $1,000 and publication by Ohio University Press is given annually for a poetry collection. Michael Prior will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 60 to 95 pages with a $30 entry fee by December 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

California Book Awards

Commonwealth Club of California
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
November 15, 2025
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 California-based issue, topic, or historical period. Books written by authors residing in California are eligible. Publishers may submit six copies of books published in 2025 by November 15. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.

Poetry Open

Gemini Magazine
Entry Fee: 
$10
Deadline: 
January 2, 2026

A prize of $1,000 and publication in Gemini Magazine is given annually for a single poem. The editors will judge. Submit up to three poems of any length with a $10 entry fee by January 2, 2026. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Pages

Subscribe to Poetry