Three prizes of $2,000 each and publication in Ploughshares are given annually for a poem or group of poems, a short story, and an essay. Each winner also receives a...
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.
Ploughshares
Cash Prize: $2,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 3/31/26
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Trio House Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 3/31/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000, publication by Trio House Press, and 20 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection by a poet living in the United States. January Gill O’Neil...
read moreTRP
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 3/31/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000, publication by TRP: the University Press of Sam Houston State University, and 10 author copies is given annually for a poetry chapbook. francine j. harris...
read moreOrison Books
Cash Prize: $1,500
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 4/1/26
Two prizes of $1,500 each and publication by Orison Books are given annually for a poetry collection and a book of fiction. Leila Chatti will judge in poetry, and Margot...
read moreWillow Springs Books
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 4/1/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Willow Springs Books will be given annually for a debut poetry collection by a poet 40 years old or younger. Poets who have previously...
read moreWinning Writers
Cash Prize: $2,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 4/1/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $2,000, a five-year membership to the submissions manager Chill Subs, a gift certificate for a two-year membership to the literary database Duotrope, and publication...
read moreArrowsmith Press
Cash Prize: $2,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 4/1/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $2,000 is given annually for a poetry collection by a writer who is not a citizen of the United States and was published in English during the previous year. Authors...
read moreSaturnalia Books
Cash Prize: $1,500
Entry Fee: $35
Application Deadline: 4/1/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,500, publication by Saturnalia Books, and 20 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. Mark Bibbins will judge. All entries are also considered for...
read moreKansas City Public Library
Cash Prize: $10,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 4/1/26
A prize of $10,000 is given in alternating years for a poetry collection or a book of fiction by an author whose work “demonstrates a commitment to social justice.” This year...
read moreOberon
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $18
Application Deadline: 4/10/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Oberon is given annually for a single poem. Submit up to three poems of no more than two pages each with an $18 entry fee, which...
read moreFlorida Review
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 4/15/26
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Three prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Florida Review are given annually for a poem or group of poems, a short story, and an essay. The editors will judge....
read moreBomb
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 4/15/26
Genre: Poetry
An award of $1,000 and publication in Bomb will be given biennially for a poem or group of poems. Using only the online submission system, submit up to five poems...
read moreNew Ohio Review
Cash Prize: $1,500
Entry Fee: $22
Application Deadline: 4/15/26
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Three prizes of $1,500 each and publication in New Ohio Review are given annually for a poem or group of poems, a short story, and an essay. Submit a poem or group of...
read moreEpiphany
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $10
Application Deadline: 4/15/26
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Two prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Epiphany are given annually for a poem or a group of poems and a short work of fiction or nonfiction. Using only the...
read moreBeloit Poetry Journal
Cash Prize: $1,500
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 4/30/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,500 and publication in Beloit Poetry Journal is given annually for a single poem. Using only the online submission system, submit up to three poems...
read moreNarrative
Cash Prize: $5,000
Entry Fee: $27
Application Deadline: 4/30/26
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
An award of $5,000 is given annually for a poem, short story, novel excerpt, or work of creative nonfiction by an emerging writer. Previously unpublished work and work...
read moreDIAGRAM/New Michigan Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $28
Application Deadline: 4/30/26
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Cross-Genre
A prize of $1,000, publication by New Michigan Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a chapbook of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or hybrid-genre work. Ander...
read moreInlandia Institute
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 4/30/26
Genre: Poetry
Two prizes of $1,000 each, publication by the Inlandia Institute, and 20 author copies are given annually for a poetry collection by a U.S. resident and a poetry collection by...
read moreTupelo Press
Cash Prize: $3,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 4/30/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $3,000, publication by Tupelo Press, and 20 author copies is given annually for a first or second poetry collection. Submit a manuscript of 48 to 88 pages with a $30...
read moreMarsh Hawk Press
Cash Prize: $2,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 4/30/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $2,000 and publication by Marsh Hawk Press is given annually for a poetry collection. Denise Duhamel will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a...
read moreUniversity of Pittsburgh Press
Cash Prize: $5,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 4/30/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $5,000 and publication by University of Pittsburgh Press is given annually for a debut poetry collection. Using only the online submission system, submit a...
read morePlough
Cash Prize: $2,000
Entry Fee: $7
Application Deadline: 4/30/26
Genre: Poetry
An award of $2,000 and publication in Plough will be given annually for a single poem that reflects Rhina Espaillat’s “lyricism, attention to form, empathy, and...
read moreCave Canem Foundation
Cash Prize: $10,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 4/30/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $10,000, publication by University of Pittsburgh Press, and 15 author copies is given annually for a first book of poetry by a Black poet within the African diaspora...
read morePoetry International
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 4/30/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Poetry International is given annually for a single poem. Using only the online submission system, submit up to three poems of any...
read moreTadpole Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 4/30/26
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $1,000 is given biannually for a work of flash poetry or prose. Submit a work of poetry, fiction, or nonfiction of up to 100 words with a $15 entry fee by April 30....
read more