A prize of £2,000 (approximately $2,548) is given annually for a single poem. A second-place prize of £1,000 (approximately $1,274) is also given. Both winners receive...
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.
Friends of American Writers
Cash Prize: $2,500
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/10/23
Genre: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
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...
read moreStory
Cash Prize: $1,500
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/15/23
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 short story of no more than 10,000...
read moreCenter for Book Arts
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 12/15/23
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $500 and letterpress publication by the Center for Book Arts is given annually for a poetry chapbook. The winner will also receive 10 copies of their chapbook, an...
read moreWillow Books
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/15/23
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Three prizes of $1,000 each and publication by Willow Books are given annually for a book of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction by BIPOC writers. Using only the online...
read moreGival Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 12/15/23
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Gival Press will be given biennially for a book of poetry. Beverly Burch will judge. Submit a manuscript of at least 45 pages with a $20...
read moreLongleaf Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $27
Application Deadline: 12/15/23
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000, publication by Longleaf Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. The winner will also be invited to give a virtual reading in...
read moreCodhill Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 12/30/23
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...
read moreVirginia Commonwealth University
Cash Prize: $3,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/30/23
Genre: Fiction
A prize of at least $3,000 is given annually for a debut novel published during the current year. The winner will also receive lodging and travel expenses to attend the First...
read moreAmerican Library Association
Cash Prize: $5,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/31/23
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...
read moreBlack Caucus of the American Library Association
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/31/23
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Four prizes of $1,000 each are given annually for a poetry collection, a first novel, a book of fiction, and a book of nonfiction (including creative nonfiction) by African...
read moreMichigan Quarterly Review
Cash Prize: $2,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/31/23
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $2,000 and publication in Michigan Quarterly Review is given annually for a short story. David Lynn will judge. Using only the online submission system,...
read moreBurnside Review Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/31/23
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000, publication by Burnside Review Press, and 10 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. Arda Collins will judge. English translations of works...
read moreLitMag
Cash Prize: $2,500
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 12/31/23
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 from Bankoff Collaborative,...
read moreUniversity of Tampa Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/31/23
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Tampa Review will be given annually for a short story. Using only the online submission system, submit a story of 500 to 5,000...
read moreFlorida Review
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/31/23
Genre: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Florida Review is given annually for a chapbook of short fiction, short nonfiction, or graphic narrative. Submit a manuscript of...
read moreMichigan Quarterly Review
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 12/31/23
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Michigan Quarterly Review will be given annually for a single poem. Lawrence Joseph will judge. Using only the online submission...
read morePoetry Society of America
Cash Prize: $2,500
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 12/31/23
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 book. Nathan McClain will...
read moreBoulevard
Cash Prize: $1,500
Entry Fee: $18
Application Deadline: 12/31/23
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,500 and publication in Boulevard is given annually for a short story by a writer who has not published a nationally distributed book. The editors will...
read moreGriffin Trust for Excellence in Poetry
Cash Prize: $96,748
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/31/23
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $130,000 Canadian (approximately $96,748) is given annually for a poetry collection published during the current year and written in, or translated into, English....
read moreThe Moth
Cash Prize: $6,572
Entry Fee: $16
Application Deadline: 12/31/23
Genre: Poetry
A prize of €6,000 (approximately $6,572) and online publication in the Irish Times is given annually for a single poem. Three runner-up prizes of €1,000 (approximately...
read moreTupelo Press
Cash Prize: $3,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 12/31/23
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $3,000, publication by Tupelo Press, and 20 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. The winner also receives a two-week residency at Gentle House in...
read moreBaton Rouge Area Foundation
Cash Prize: $15,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/31/23
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $15,000 is given annually to an emerging African American writer for a book of fiction published in the current year. The winner also receives travel and lodging...
read moreOhio University Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 12/31/23
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Ohio University Press is given annually for a poetry collection. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 60 to 95...
read more