A prize of $1,000 and publication in Boulevard is given annually for an essay by a writer who has not published a full-length book in any genre with a nationally...
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.
Boulevard
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $16
Application Deadline: 9/30/19
Genre: Creative Nonfiction
Hidden River Arts
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $22
Application Deadline: 9/30/19
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Hidden River Press is given annually for a novella. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 17,500 to 40,000 words...
read moreMad Creek Books
Cash Prize: $2,500
Entry Fee: $28
Application Deadline: 9/30/19
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $2,500 and publication by Mad Creek Books, the literary trade imprint of Ohio State University Press, is given annually for a poetry collection. Kathy Fagan will...
read moreUniversity of Arkansas Press
Cash Prize: $5,000
Entry Fee: $28
Application Deadline: 9/30/19
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $5,000 and publication by University of Arkansas Press is given annually for a poetry collection. Billy Collins will judge. Using only the online submission system,...
read moreSouthwest Review
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $5
Application Deadline: 9/30/19
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Southwest Review is given annually for a poem or group of poems by a writer who has not published a poetry collection. Submit up...
read moreHackney Literary Awards
Cash Prize: $5,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 9/30/19
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $5,000 is given annually for an unpublished novel. Submit a manuscript of any length with a $30 entry fee by September 30. Visit the website for complete guidelines...
John Pollard Foundation
Cash Prize: $11,400
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 9/30/19
Genre: Poetry
A prize of €10,000 (approximately $11,400) will be given annually for a debut poetry collection published during the current year. Publishers may submit four copies of a debut...
read moreUniversity of Massachusetts Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 9/30/19
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Five prizes of $1,000 each and publication by University of Massachusetts Press are given annually for a first poetry collection, a poetry collection, a short story collection...
read moreCave Canem Foundation
Cash Prize: $500
Entry Fee: $12
Application Deadline: 9/30/19
Genre: Poetry
A prize valued at approximately $2,500 is given annually for a poetry chapbook by a Black poet. The winner will receive $500, publication by Jai-Alai Books, and a weeklong...
read moreWinning Writers
Cash Prize: $2,000
Entry Fee: $12
Application Deadline: 9/30/19
Genre: Poetry
Two prizes of $2,000 each and publication on the Winning Writers website are given annually for a poem in any style and a poem that either rhymes or is written in a traditional...
read moreLascaux Review
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 9/30/19
Genre: Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Lascaux Review will be given annually for an essay. The winner and finalists will also be published in the 2020 Lascaux Prize...
read moreNew Criterion
Cash Prize: $3,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 9/30/19
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $3,000 and publication by Criterion Books is given annually for a poetry collection that pays close attention to form. George Green, Roger Kimball, and David Yezzi...
read moreLiteral Latté
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $10
Application Deadline: 9/30/19
Genre: Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Literal Latté is given annually for a personal essay. Submit an essay of up to 10,000 words with a $10 entry fee...
read moreDzanc Books
Cash Prize: $5,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 9/30/19
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $5,000 and publication by Dzanc Books is given annually for a novel. John Englehardt, Lee Martin, and Elle Nash will judge. Using only the online submission system,...
read moreUniversity of Iowa Press
Cash Prize:
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 9/30/19
Genre: Fiction
Two awards of publication by University of Iowa Press are given annually for first collections of short fiction. Writers who have not published a book of fiction are eligible....
read moreGhost Story
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 9/30/19
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,000, publication on the Ghost Story website and in the Ghost Story print anthology, 21st Century Ghost Stories, is given twice yearly...
read moreDzanc Books
Cash Prize: $1,500
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 9/30/19
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,500 and publication by Dzanc Books will be given occasionally for a novella. The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript...
read moreDzanc Books
Cash Prize: $2,500
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 9/30/19
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $2,500 and publication by Dzanc Books is given annually for a story collection. The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a story...
read moreCalifornia State University in Fresno
Cash Prize: $2,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 9/30/19
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $2,000 and publication by Anhinga Press is given annually for a poetry collection. C. G. Hanzlicek will judge. Submit a manuscript of 48 to 80 pages with a $25 entry...
read moreMissouri Review
Cash Prize: $5,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 10/1/19
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Three prizes of $5,000 each and publication in Missouri Review are given annually for a group of poems, a short story, and an essay. Submit up to 10 pages of poetry or...
read morePulitzer Prizes
Cash Prize: $15,000
Entry Fee: $75
Application Deadline: 10/1/19
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Five prizes of $15,000 each are given annually to U.S. writers to honor books of poetry, fiction, general nonfiction, U. S. history, and biography or autobiography (including...
read moreCarlow University
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 10/1/19
Genre: Poetry
A prize valued at $2,000 is given annually to a woman poet over 40 who has not published a book in any genre. The winner receives $1,000, publication in Voices From the...
read moreZoetrope: All-Story
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 10/1/19
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication on the Zoetrope: All-Story website is given annually for a short story. The winner and finalists are considered for representation by...
read moreAmerican Literary Review
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 10/1/19
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Three prizes of $1,000 each and publication in American Literary Review are given annually for a poem, a short story, and an essay. Using only the online submission...
read moreSouthern Indiana Review
Cash Prize: $2,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 10/1/19
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Three prizes of $2,000 each and publication in Southern Indiana Review are given annually for a poem, a work of fiction, and a work of creative nonfiction. José...
read more