A prize of $2,000 and publication by Noemi Press is given annually for a poetry collection. The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript...
read moreWriting 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.
McGill University
Cash Prize: $14,418
Entry Fee: $18
Application Deadline: 5/1/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $20,000 Canadian (approximately $14,418) is given biennially for a poem. Natalie Diaz will judge, and Jaswinder Bolina, Kayla Czaga, Boris Dralyuk, Iona Lee, Brandy...
read moreBackwaters Press
Cash Prize: $2,000
Entry Fee: $32
Application Deadline: 5/1/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $2,000 and publication by Backwaters Press, an imprint of University of Nebraska Press, is given annually for a poetry collection. An honorable mention prize of $1,...
read moreWick Poetry Center
Cash Prize: $2,500
Entry Fee: $27
Application Deadline: 5/1/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $2,500 and publication by Kent State University Press is given annually for a debut poetry collection. The winner is also invited to teach a weeklong writing...
read moreNational Book Foundation
Cash Prize: $10,000
Entry Fee: $135
Application Deadline: 5/13/26
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Four prizes of $10,000 each are given annually for books of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and young people’s literature written by U.S. writers and published in the United...
read moreLeeway Foundation
Cash Prize: $15,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 5/15/26
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Awards of $15,000 each are given annually to women, transgender, and/or gender-nonconforming poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers in the Philadelphia area...
read moreAmerican Poetry Review
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 5/15/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication in American Poetry Review is given annually for a single poem by a poet under the age of 40. The editors will judge. Submit up to...
read moreF(r)iction
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 5/15/26
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,000 is given biannually for a short story. Manuel Aragon will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a story of 1,001 to 7,500 words with a $15...
read moreAcademy of American Poets
Cash Prize: $25,000
Entry Fee: $75
Application Deadline: 5/15/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $25,000 is given annually for a poetry collection by a living poet published in the United States during the previous year. The winner also receives a 10-day...
read moreRegal House Publishing
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 5/15/26
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Regal House Publishing is given annually for a novella. The editors will judge. English translations of works originally written in another...
read moreAcademy of American Poets
Cash Prize: $5,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 5/15/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $5,000 is given annually for a second poetry collection by a living poet to be published in the next calendar year. The winner also receives an all-expenses-paid...
read moreLost Horse Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $28
Application Deadline: 5/15/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000, publication by Lost Horse Press, and 20 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript...
read moreGeorgia Review
Cash Prize: $1,500
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 5/15/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,500 and publication in Georgia Review is given annually for a single poem. Brian Teare will judge. Submit up to three poems totaling no more than 10...
read morePittsburg State University
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 5/15/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000, publication by Pittsburg State University, and 25 author copies is given annually for a poetry chapbook. Using only the online submissions system, submit...
read moreCrook’s Corner Book Prize Foundation
Cash Prize: $5,000
Entry Fee: $35
Application Deadline: 5/15/26
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $5,000 is given annually for a debut novel primarily set in the American South. Authors living anywhere are eligible. Self-published books are accepted, but books...
read moreTrio House Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 5/15/26
Genre: Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $1,000, publication by Trio House Press, and 20 author copies is given annually for a book of nonfiction by a writer living in the United States. Deborah Derrickson...
read moreNew Letters
Cash Prize: $2,000
Entry Fee: $24
Application Deadline: 5/18/26
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Three prizes of $2,000 each and publication in New Letters are given annually for a poem, a short story, and an essay. Using only the online submission system, submit...
read moreGreat Lakes Colleges Association
Cash Prize: $500
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 5/25/26
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Three prizes are given annually for first books by a poet, a fiction writer, and a creative nonfiction writer. The winners each receive an all-expenses-paid trip to several of...
read moreBoa Editions
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 5/31/26
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Boa Editions is given annually for a story collection. Peter Conners will judge. Submit a manuscript of 100 to 200 pages with a $30 entry...
read moreSouthern Poetry Review
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 5/31/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Southern Poetry Review is given annually for a single poem. Submit three to five poems totaling no more than 10 pages with a $20...
read moreBridge Book Award
Cash Prize: $5,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 5/31/26
Genre: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Two prizes of up to $5,000 each are given annually for a book of fiction and a book of creative nonfiction by U.S. citizens or permanent residents published in the previous...
read moreAnhinga Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $28
Application Deadline: 5/31/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000, publication by Anhinga Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. The winner also receives $500 to cover travel costs for the...
read moreLivingston Press
Cash Prize: $500
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 5/31/26
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Cross-Genre
A prize of $500, publication by Livingston Press, and 20 author copies is given annually for a novel-in-verse. Eleanor Boudreau will judge. Submit a manuscript of 90 to 160...
read moreUniversity of Georgia Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 5/31/26
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication by University of Georgia Press is given annually for a collection of short fiction. Lori Ostlund will judge. Using only the online submission...
read more