A prize of $5,000 is given annually to a poet, fiction writer, or creative nonfiction writer to support the completion of a manuscript-in-progress. Up to three finalists are...
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.
Granum Foundation
Cash Prize: $5,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 8/1/25
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Aspen Words
Cash Prize: $35,000
Entry Fee: $105
Application Deadline: 8/4/25
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $35,000 is given annually for a book of fiction published in the current year that “illuminates a vital contemporary issue and demonstrates the transformative power...
read moreLiterary Arts
Cash Prize: $10,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 8/8/25
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Fellowships of $3,500 each are given annually to aid Oregon writers in initiating, developing, or completing literary projects in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction....
read moreGival Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 8/8/25
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication on the Gival Press website is given annually for a short story. Submit a story of 5,000 to 15,000 words with a $25 entry fee by August 8....
read moreTulipTree Publishing
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 8/9/25
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a poem, a short story, or an essay that responds to the following prompt: “What if the only way to save yourself from this reality is to...
read moreGrayson Books
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $26
Application Deadline: 8/15/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000, publication by Grayson Books, and 10 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. Alberto Ríos will judge. Using only the online submission...
read moreFuturepoem
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $28
Application Deadline: 8/15/25
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Cross-Genre
A prize of $1,000, publication by Futurepoem, and 25 author copies is given annually for a book of innovative poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or hybrid work “that...
read moreIndiana Review
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 8/15/25
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Indiana Review is given annually for a poem or a work of flash fiction or creative nonfiction. Submit up to three poems, stories, or...
read moreOmnidawn Publishing
Cash Prize: $3,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 8/16/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $3,000, publication by Omnidawn Publishing, and 20 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. Jose-Luis Moctezuma will judge. Using only the online...
read moreTalking Gourds
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $12
Application Deadline: 8/31/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a single poem. Art Goodtimes will judge. Submit a poem of up to 125 lines totaling no more than three pages with a $12 entry fee ($30...
read moreDynamo Verlag
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $18
Application Deadline: 8/31/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Dynamo Verlag will be given biennially for a book-length work of poetry, prose, or hybrid work. The editors will judge. E-mail a manuscript...
read moreTalking Gourds
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $12
Application Deadline: 8/31/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a single poem about the state of Colorado or written by a poet residing in Colorado. José A. “Tony” Alcántara will judge. Submit a poem...
read moreAesthetica
Cash Prize: $3,324
Entry Fee: $16
Application Deadline: 8/31/25
Two prizes of £2,500 (approximately $3,324) each and publication in the Aesthetica Creative Writing anthology are given annually for a poem and a short story. In addition, the...
read moreUniversity of Iowa Press
Cash Prize: $0
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 8/31/25
Genre: Fiction
Two prizes of publication by University of Iowa Press are given annually for debut collections of short fiction. Submit a manuscript of at least 150 pages by August 31. There...
read moreBlack Lawrence Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 8/31/25
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $1,000, publication by Black Lawrence Press, and 10 author copies is given annually for a debut collection of poems, short stories, or essays. The editors and a...
read moreHowling Bird Press
Cash Prize: $2,500
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 8/31/25
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $2,500 and publication by Howling Bird Press is given in alternating years for a book of poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. The 2026 prize will be awarded in...
read moreUtica University
Cash Prize: $2,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 8/31/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $2,000 is given annually for a poetry collection published during the current year by a resident of upstate New York. The winner will also give a reading and teach a...
read moreMunster Literature Centre
Cash Prize: $1,118
Entry Fee: $28
Application Deadline: 8/31/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of €1,000 (approximately $1,118); publication by Southword Editions, Munster Literature Centre’s publishing imprint; and 25 author copies is given annually for a poetry...
read moreJournal of Experimental Fiction
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 8/31/25
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication by JEF Books, the publisher of Journal of Experimental Fiction, is given annually for an innovative novel. Derek Pell will judge....
read moreUniversity of New Orleans Press
Cash Prize: $10,000
Entry Fee: $28
Application Deadline: 8/31/25
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $10,000 and publication by University of New Orleans Press is given annually for a short story collection or novel. Using only the online submission system, submit a...
read moreBanyan Review
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 8/31/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Banyan Review is given for a single poem. The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit up to five poems...
read moreGrid Books
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 8/31/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication in print and audiobook formats by Grid Books is given annually for a poetry collection by a writer over the age of 60. John Yau will judge....
read moreOxford Poetry
Cash Prize: $1,329
Entry Fee: $13
Application Deadline: 8/31/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of £1,000 (approximately $1,329) and publication in Oxford Poetry is given annually for a single poem. Submit a poem of up to 50 lines with a £10 (approximately...
read moreAcademy of American Poets
Cash Prize: $5,000
Entry Fee: $35
Application Deadline: 9/1/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $5,000 and publication by Graywolf Press is given annually for a poetry collection by a writer who has not published a book of poetry in a standard edition. The...
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