A prize of $1,500 and publication by the Word Works is given annually to a U.S. or Canadian poet for a poetry collection. Submit a manuscript of 48 to 80 pages with a $25 entry...
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.
Southampton Review
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 3/15/19
Genre: Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Southampton Review is given annually for a personal essay. Using the online submission system, submit an essay of up to 4,500...
read moreRobinson Jeffers Tor House Foundation
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $10
Application Deadline: 3/15/19
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 is given annually for an unpublished poem. Brenda Hillman will judge. Submit up to three poems of no more than three pages each with a $10 entry fee by March...
read moreDayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation
Cash Prize: $10,000
Entry Fee: $100
Application Deadline: 3/15/19
Genre: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Two prizes of $10,000 each are given annually for a book of fiction and a book of nonfiction (including creative nonfiction) published in the previous year that “foster peace,...
read moreVerse
Cash Prize: $500
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 3/15/19
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $500 and publication by Factory Hollow Press is given annually for a poetry chapbook. The winner will also receive a monthlong residency from May 20 to June 20, 2020...
read moreThe Writer’s Center
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 3/15/19
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a first novel by a U.S. author published during the previous year. Authors, publishers, or agents may submit three copies of a novel...
read moreF(r)iction
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 3/15/19
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,000 will be given three times a year for a short story. Using the online submission system, submit a story of 1,000 to 7,500 words with a $15 entry fee by March...
read moreWashington College
Cash Prize: $20,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 3/15/19
Genre: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
A fellowship, which includes a stipend of $20,000, is given annually to a novelist or nonfiction writer working on a book relating to the literature, history, culture, or art...
read moreJames Jones Literary Society
Cash Prize: $10,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 3/15/19
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $10,000 is given annually for a novel-in-progress by a U.S. writer who has not published a novel. A selection from the winning work will be published in ...
read moreFourth Genre
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 3/15/19
Genre: Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Fourth Genre is given annually for an essay. Using the online submission system, submit an essay of up to 6,000 words with a $20...
read moreHidden River Arts
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $22
Application Deadline: 3/15/19
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Sowilo Press is given annually for a book of fiction by a woman writer over the age of 40. Using the online submission system, submit a...
read moreSonora Review
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 3/15/19
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Two prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Sonora Review are given annually for a poem or group of poems and a short story. The 2019 contest theme is “Doubt.” Raquel...
read morePrairie Schooner
Cash Prize: $3,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 3/15/19
Two prizes of $3,000 each and publication by University of Nebraska Press are given annually for a poetry collection and a short story collection. An editorial board will...
read moreNew South
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 3/21/19
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Two prizes of $1,000 each and publication in New South are given annually for a poem and a story or essay. Using the online submission system, submit up to three poems...
read moreEnizagam
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 3/28/19
Two prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Enizagam are given annually for a group of poems and a short story. Tongo Eisen-Martin will judge in poetry and Shanthi...
read moreWillie Morris Awards
Cash Prize: $10,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 3/29/19
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $10,000 will be given annually for novel published during the previous year that takes place in the South and reflects late author Willie Morris’s “hope for...
read moreCave Canem Foundation
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 3/29/19
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication by University of Georgia Press is given annually for a first book of poetry by a Black poet of African descent. Evie Shockley will judge....
read moreTrustees of the Robert Frost Farm
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $6
Application Deadline: 3/30/19
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a poem written in metrical verse. The winner also receives a scholarship and a $400 honorarium to give a reading at the Frost Farm...
read moreBanipal Trust for Arab Literature
Cash Prize: $3,780
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 3/31/19
A prize of £3,000 (approximately $3,780) is given annually for a book of poetry or fiction translated from Arabic into English and published for the first time in English...
read moreFish Publishing
Cash Prize: $1,180
Entry Fee: $17
Application Deadline: 3/31/19
Genre: Poetry
A prize of €1,000 (approximately $1,180) and publication in the Fish Publishing anthology is given annually for a single poem. The winner is also invited to read at the...
read moreArts & Letters
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 3/31/19
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Three prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Arts & Letters are given annually for a group of poems, a short story, and an essay. GennaRose Nethercott will judge...
read moreBosque Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $22
Application Deadline: 3/31/19
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication in bosque is given annually for a short story or a novel excerpt by a writer over the age of 40. Julie Williams will judge. Using the...
read moreLascaux Review
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 3/31/19
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Lascaux Review is given annually for a single poem. Previously published and unpublished poems are eligible. The winners and finalists will...
read moreElixir Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 3/31/19
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Elixir Press is given annually for a first or second poetry collection. Ariana-Sophia Kartsonis will judge. Submit a manuscript of at least...
read moreFlorida Review
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 3/31/19
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Three prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Florida Review are given annually for a group of poems, a short story, and an essay. The editors will judge. Submit...
read more