A prize of $5,000, publication by New York Quarterly Books, and 25 author copies is given annually for a collection of narrative poetry. The winner is also invited to give 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.
Laura Boss Poetry Foundation
Cash Prize: $5,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 3/31/25
Genre: Poetry
Lascaux Review
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 3/31/25
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 Previously published and unpublished poems are accepted. Using only the online...
read moreUrsula K. Le Guin Foundation
Cash Prize: $25,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 3/31/25
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $25,000 will be given annually for a book of fiction published in the previous year that “reflects the concepts and ideas that were central to [Ursula K. Le Guin’s]...
read moreNarrative
Cash Prize: $2,500
Entry Fee: $27
Application Deadline: 3/31/25
Genre: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $2,500 and publication in Narrative is given annually for a short story, a work of flash fiction, an essay, a memoir, or an excerpt from a longer work of...
read moreIowa City UNESCO City of Literature
Cash Prize: $25,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 3/31/25
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $25,000 is given annually to a writer “who, like Paul Engle, represents a pioneering spirit in the world of literature through writing, editing, publishing, or...
read moreBanipal Trust for Arab Literature
Cash Prize: $3,669
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 3/31/25
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Translation
A prize of £3,000 (approximately $3,669) is given annually for a book of poetry or fiction translated from Arabic into English and published for the first time in English...
read moreTrio House Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 3/31/25
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. Randall Mann will...
read moreWinning Writers
Cash Prize: $2,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 4/1/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $2,000, a gift certificate for a two-year membership to the literary database Duotrope, and publication on the Winning Writers website is given annually for a...
read moreOrison Books
Cash Prize: $1,500
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 4/1/25
Two prizes of $1,500 each and publication by Orison Books are given annually for a poetry collection and a book of fiction. Phillip B. Williams will judge in poetry, and Tessa...
read moreNorth American Review
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $23
Application Deadline: 4/1/25
Genre: Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication in North American Review is given annually for an essay. Lyric essays, memoir-style essays, and literary journalism are eligible. Robin...
read moreSaturnalia Books
Cash Prize: $1,500
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 4/1/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,500, publication by Saturnalia Books, and 20 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. Hadara Bar-Nadav will judge. All entries are also considered...
read moreKansas City Public Library
Cash Prize: $10,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 4/1/25
Genre: Poetry
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 and...
read moreOberon
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $18
Application Deadline: 4/10/25
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 moreDesperate Literature
Cash Prize: $2,059
Entry Fee: $21
Application Deadline: 4/14/25
Genre: Fiction
A prize of €2,000 (approximately $2,059), publication in the Desperate Literature prize anthology, and a weeklong residency at the Civitella Ranieri Foundation’s castle in the...
read moreFlorida Review
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 4/15/25
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 moreFourth Genre
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 4/15/25
Genre: Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Fourth Genre is given annually for an essay. Sonya Huber will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit an essay of up...
read moreJaded Ibis Press
Cash Prize: $2,050
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 4/15/25
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,500, publication by Jaded Ibis Press, and 25 author copies will be given annually for a novel, a novel in stories, or a short story collection by an author who...
read moreNew Ohio Review
Cash Prize: $1,500
Entry Fee: $22
Application Deadline: 4/15/25
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 moreOmnidawn Publishing
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $14
Application Deadline: 4/16/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a single poem. The winner also receives 20 copies of a letterpress broadside of the winning poem, which will be published in Omnidawn...
read morePen Parentis
Cash Prize: $2,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 4/17/25
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $2,000, a year of mentorship, and publication in Dreamers Creative Writing Magazine is given annually to a fiction writer who is the parent of a child under...
read moreWhiting Foundation
Cash Prize: $40,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 4/23/25
Genre: Creative Nonfiction
Up to 10 grants of $40,000 each are given annually for creative nonfiction works-in-progress to enable writers to complete their books. Creative nonfiction writers under...
read moreTadpole Press
Cash Prize: $2,000
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 4/30/25
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $2,000 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 moreBeloit Poetry Journal
Cash Prize: $1,500
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 4/30/25
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 moreAutumn House Press
Cash Prize: $2,500
Entry Fee: $35
Application Deadline: 4/30/25
Genre: Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Autumn House Press is given annually for a book of nonfiction. The winner also receives a $1,500 travel and publicity grant. May-lee Chai...
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