Genre: Poetry
William Matthews Poetry Prize
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Asheville Poetry Review is given annually for a single poem. The winner is also invited to give a reading at Malaprop’s Bookstore in Asheville, North Carolina. Ted Kooser will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit up to three poems of any length with a $20 entry fee by January 15, 2026. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Canadian First Book Prize
A prize of $10,000 Canadian (approximately $7,239) is awarded for a debut poetry collection by a living Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada published during the current year. Publishers may submit four copies of a book published between July 1 and December 31 by December 19. The deadline for books published during the first half of the year was June 20. Self-published books are not eligible. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.
Alice Fay Di Castagnola Award
A prize of $1,000 and publication on the Poetry Society of America website is given annually for poetry from a manuscript-in-progress. Using only the online submission system, submit 10 pages of poetry with a $15 entry fee by December 15. There is no entry fee for PSA members. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
LGBTQIA+ Literary Success Grants
Three grants of $500 each will be given annually to a poet, fiction writer, and nonfiction writer to “amplify the voices of LGBTQIA+ youth in Georgia.” Grantees will also receive a scholarship to attend and give a reading of their work at the Red Clay Conference in April 2026 on the Marietta campus of Kennesaw State University. LGBTQIA+ writers between the ages of 18 and 24 who have not published more than one book and have been residents of Georgia for at least one year, or who are full-time students at a Georgia college or university at the time of application and on the date of the award are eligible. Submit up to 10 pages of poetry or prose and a 500-word statement of purpose by January 15, 2026. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for an application and complete guidelines.
American Book Awards
Awards are given annually for books published in the United States during the current year in recognition of “outstanding literary achievement from the entire spectrum of America’s diverse literary community.” Submit two copies (or bound galleys) of a book of any genre published in 2025 by December 31. Anyone may submit nominations for the awards. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for more information.
Griffin Poetry Prize
A prize of $130,000 Canadian (approximately $94,113) is given annually for a poetry collection published during the current year and written in, or translated into, English. Should the prize-winning book be a translation, 60 percent of the prize is awarded to the translator and 40 percent to the poet. Finalists each receive $10,000 Canadian (approximately $7,239) for their participation in the Griffin Poetry Prize Readings held in Toronto. Publishers may submit four copies of a book no less than 48 pages in length and published between July 1 and December 31 by December 19. The deadline for books published during the first half of the year was June 20. Self-published books are not eligible. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.
Four Quartets Prize
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 current year. Three finalists, including the winner, will receive $1,000 each. Submit four copies of at least 14 pages of poetry or a book-length sequence of poems published in 2025 and unified by subject, form, and style by December 15. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.
Chad Walsh Chapbook Series
A prize of $2,500, publication by Beloit Poetry Journal, and 50 author copies is given annually for a poetry chapbook. The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 20 to 35 pages with a $20 entry fee by November 30. A limited number of fee waivers based on financial need are available upon request via e-mail. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Poetry Award
A prize of $1,500, publication by Lit Fox Books, and 25 author copies will be given annually for a poetry collection. Kristina Marie Darling will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a poetry manuscript of at least 48 pages by January 15, 2026. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.



