A prize of up to $4,000 is given annually for a book of fiction or creative nonfiction published during the previous year by a writer who is a resident of the Midwest (or who...
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: $4,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/10/19
Genre: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Willow Books
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/15/19
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Two prizes of $1,000 each and publication by Willow Books are given annually for a book of fiction and a book of creative nonfiction by writers of color. Using only the online...
read moreCenter for Book Arts
Cash Prize: $500
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 12/15/19
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 an additional $500 to give a...
read moreF(r)iction
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 12/15/19
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,000 is given three times a year for a short story. Using only the online submission system, submit a story of 1,000 to 7,500 words with a $15 entry fee by...
read moreCommonwealth Club of California
Cash Prize:
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/15/19
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Five prizes are given annually for a poetry collection, a book of fiction, a first book of fiction, a book of creative nonfiction, and a book of fiction or nonfiction that...
read moreMid-American Review
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $10
Application Deadline: 12/15/19
Two prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Mid-American Review are given annually for a poem and a short story. Submit up to three poems for the James Wright Poetry...
read moreSilverfish Review Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/15/19
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000, publication by Silverfish Review Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a first poetry collection. Submit a manuscript of at least 48 pages with a...
read moreLitMag
Cash Prize: $3,500
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 12/15/19
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $3,500 and publication in LitMag is given annually for a short story. A second-place prize of $1,000 will also be given. The winners will have their work...
read morePoetry Society of America
Cash Prize: $2,500
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 12/23/19
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $2,500 and publication of a poem on the Poetry Society of America website is given annually to a poet over 40 who has published no more than one book. Submit two...
read morePoetry Society of America
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $12
Application Deadline: 12/23/19
Genre: Poetry
Four prizes of $1,000 each and publication by the Poetry Society of America are given annually for poetry chapbooks by poets who have not published a full-length collection....
read morePoetry Society of America
Cash Prize: $20,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/23/19
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $20,000 is given annually for a unified and complete sequence of poems published in the U.S. in a print or online journal, a chapbook, or a book. Three finalists,...
read moreCodhill Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 12/30/19
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 moreNew Issues Poetry & Prose
Cash Prize: $2,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/30/19
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $2,000 and publication by New Issues Poetry & Prose is given annually for a book of poetry by a poet who has not published a full-length collection. Traci...
read moreVirginia Commonwealth University
Cash Prize: $5,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/30/19
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $5,000 is given annually for a first novel published during the previous year. The winner and two additional guest panelists (usually the winner’s agent and editor)...
read moreBefore Columbus Foundation
Cash Prize:
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/31/19
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Awards are given annually for books published in the United States during the previous year to recognize “outstanding liter-ary achievement from the entire spectrum of America’...
read moreTwo Sylvias Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 12/31/19
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Two Sylvias Press is given annually for a poetry collection by a woman over the age of 50. Kelli Russell Agodon and Annette Spaulding-Convy...
read moreThe Moth
Cash Prize: $11,098
Entry Fee: $16
Application Deadline: 12/31/19
Genre: Poetry
A prize of €10,000 (approximately $11,098) and publication in the Moth is given annually for a single poem. Three runner-up prizes of €1,000 (approximately $1,109) each...
read morePress 53
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 12/31/19
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,000, publication by Press 53, and 50 author copies is given annually for a story collection. Kevin Morgan Watson will judge. Submit a manuscript of 100 to 250...
read moreBoulevard
Cash Prize: $1,500
Entry Fee: $16
Application Deadline: 12/31/19
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. Submit a story of...
read moreRiver Styx
Cash Prize: $1,500
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 12/31/19
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,500 and publication in River Styx is given annually for a short short story. Submit up to three stories of no more than 500 words each with a $15 entry...
read moreNew Rivers Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/31/19
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Two prizes of $1,000 each, publication by New Rivers Press, and 15 author copies are given annually for a poetry collection and a book of fiction or creative nonfiction by an...
read moreCleveland Foundation
Cash Prize: $10,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/31/19
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Three to four prizes of $10,000 each are given annually for a poetry collection, a book of fiction, and a book of nonfiction (including creative nonfiction) published during...
read moreNeukom Institute for Computational Science
Cash Prize: $5,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/31/19
Genre: Fiction
Two prizes of $5,000 each will be given annually for a debut book of speculative fiction and a book of speculative fiction published during the previous year. Winners must be...
read moreBlack Caucus of the American Library Association
Cash Prize: $500
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/31/19
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Four prizes of $500 each are given annually for a poetry collection, a first novel, a book of fiction, and a book of nonfiction (including creative nonfiction) by an African...
read moreAshland Creek Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/31/19
Genre: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $1,000 is given for an unpublished or published book of fiction or creative nonfiction that focuses on the environment, animal protection, ecology, or wildlife. The...
read more