Writing Contests, Grants & Awards

The Writing Contests, Grants & Awards database includes details about the creative writing contests—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, and more—that we’ve published in Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year. We carefully review the practices and policies of each contest before including it. Ours is the most trusted resource for legitimate writing contests available anywhere.

Friends of American Writers

Cash Prize: $2,500
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/14/24

A prize of $2,500 is given annually for a book of fiction or creative nonfiction published during the current year that is set in the Midwest or by a writer who is a resident...

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Story

Cash Prize: $1,500
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/15/24
Genre: Fiction

A prize of $1,500 and publication in Story is given annually for a short story. Using only the online submission system, submit a story of up to 10,000 words with a $...

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Narratively

Cash Prize: $3,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 12/19/24

A prize of $3,000 and publication in Narratively will be given annually for a short work of memoir written in the first person. Two runners-up prizes of $1,000 each...

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Center for Book Arts

Cash Prize: $500
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 12/20/24
Genre: Poetry

A prize of $500 and letterpress publication by the Center for Book Arts is given annually for a poetry chapbook. The winner also receives 10 copies of their chapbook, an...

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Griffin Trust for Excellence in Poetry

Cash Prize: $95,542
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/20/24
Genre: Poetry

A prize of $130,000 Canadian (approximately $95,542) is given annually for a poetry collection published during the current year and written in, or translated into, English....

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Griffin Trust for Excellence in Poetry

Cash Prize: $7,349
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/20/24
Genre: Poetry

A prize of $10,000 Canadian (approximately $7,349) is awarded for a debut poetry collection by a living Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada published during the...

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Codhill Press

Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 12/30/24
Genre: Poetry

A prize of $1,000, publication by Codhill Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. James Sherwood will judge. Submit a manuscript of 48 to 70...

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Virginia Commonwealth University

Cash Prize: $5,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/30/24
Genre: Fiction

A prize of $5,000 is given annually for a debut novel published during the current year. The winner is also provided money for the cost of travel and lodging to attend the...

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Press 53

Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 12/31/24
Genre: Fiction

A prize of $1,000, publication by Press 53, and 53 author copies is given annually for a story collection. Claire V. Foxx will judge. Submit a manuscript of 100 to 250 pages...

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Before Columbus Foundation

Cash Prize: $0
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/31/24

Awards are given annually for books published in the United States during the current year to recognize “outstanding literary achievement from the entire spectrum of America’s...

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Lascaux Review

Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 12/31/24
Genre: Fiction

A prize of $1,000 and publication in Lascaux Review is given annually for a short story. Previously published and unpublished stories are eligible. The editors will...

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LitMag

Cash Prize: $2,500
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 12/31/24
Genre: Fiction

A prize of $2,500 and publication in LitMag is given annually for a short story. The winner will also have their work reviewed by agents Lisa Bankoff (Bankoff...

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Tampa Review

Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 12/31/24
Genre: Fiction

A prize of $1,000 and publication in Tampa Review is given annually for a short story. Using only the online submission system, submit a story of 500 to 5,000 words...

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American Library Association

Cash Prize: $5,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/31/24
Genre: Fiction

A prize of $5,000 is given annually for a novel published in the current year that is set in a period when the United States was at war. Publishers or authors may submit seven...

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Black Caucus of the American Library Association

Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/31/24

Four prizes of $1,000 each are given annually for a poetry collection, a debut novel, a book of fiction, and a book of nonfiction (including creative nonfiction) by African...

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Action, Spectacle

Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/31/24

A prize of $1,000, publication by Action, Spectacle, and 25 author copies will be given annually for a chapbook of poetry, prose, or hybrid-genre work. Using only the online...

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Michigan Quarterly Review

Cash Prize: $2,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/31/24
Genre: Fiction

A prize of $2,000 and publication in Michigan Quarterly Review is given annually for a short story. Ghassan Zeineddine will judge. Using only the online submission...

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Poetry Society of America

Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 12/31/24
Genre: Poetry

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,...

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Poetry Society of America

Cash Prize: $20,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/31/24
Genre: Poetry

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...

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Two Sylvias Press

Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $24
Application Deadline: 12/31/24
Genre: Poetry

A prize of $1,000, publication by Two Sylvias Press, and 20 author copies will be given annually for a poetry collection by a writer over 50 who identifies as female (including...

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Burnside Review Press

Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/31/24
Genre: Poetry

A prize of $1,000, publication by Burnside Review Press, and 10 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. Ananda Lima will judge. Using only the online...

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Alternating Current Press

Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $18
Application Deadline: 12/31/24

A prize of $1,000, publication by Alternating Current Press, and 25 author copies will be given annually for a poetry collection, story collection, essay collection, novel,...

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Poetry Society of America

Cash Prize: $2,500
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 12/31/24
Genre: Poetry

A prize of $2,500 and publication on the Poetry Society of America website is given annually to a poet over 40 who has published no more than one poetry collection. Using only...

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Michigan Quarterly Review

Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 12/31/24
Genre: Poetry

A prize of $1,000 and publication in Michigan Quarterly Review is given annually for a single poem. Cyrus Cassells will judge. Using only the online submission system...

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Tupelo Press

Cash Prize: $3,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 12/31/24
Genre: Poetry

A prize of $3,000, publication by Tupelo Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. The winner also receives a two-week residency at Gentle House in...

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