A prize of $1,000, publication by Black Lawrence Press, and 10 author copies is given annually for a collection of poems, short stories, essays, or hybrid work. The editors...
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.
Black Lawrence Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 3/31/26
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Cross-Genre
Lascaux Review
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 3/31/26
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 Previously published and unpublished poems are accepted.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 morePress 53
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 3/31/26
Two prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Prime Number Magazine are given annually for a poem and a short story. Using only the online submission system, submit a...
read moreLaura Boss Poetry Foundation
Cash Prize: $5,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 3/31/26
Genre: Poetry
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 moreGemini Magazine
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $10
Application Deadline: 3/31/26
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Gemini Magazine is given annually for a short story. The editors will judge. Submit a story of any length with a $10 entry fee by...
read morePloughshares
Cash Prize: $2,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 3/31/26
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Three prizes of $2,000 each and publication in Ploughshares are given annually for a poem or group of poems, a short story, and an essay. Each winner also receives a...
read moreUrsula K. Le Guin Foundation
Cash Prize: $25,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 3/31/26
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $25,000 is 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] own...
read moreTrio House Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 3/31/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000, publication by Trio House Press, and 20 author copies is given annually for a first or second poetry collection by a poet living in the United States....
read moreTRP
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 3/31/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000, publication by TRP: the University Press of Sam Houston State University, and 10 author copies is given annually for a poetry chapbook. francine j. harris...
read moreA Public Space
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 3/31/26
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Three six-month fellowships of $1,000 each are given annually to emerging poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers who “embrace risk in their work” and have not published...
read moreGeorgia Writers
Cash Prize: $500
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 3/31/26
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Three grants of $500 each will be given annually to a poet, fiction writer, and nonfiction writer to “amplify the voices of LGBTQIA+ youth in Georgia.” Grantees will also...
read moreNarrative
Cash Prize: $2,500
Entry Fee: $27
Application Deadline: 3/31/26
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 moreSaturnalia Books
Cash Prize: $1,500
Entry Fee: $35
Application Deadline: 4/1/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,500, publication by Saturnalia Books, and 20 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. Mark Bibbins will judge. All entries are also considered for...
read moreArrowsmith Press
Cash Prize: $2,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 4/1/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $2,000 is given annually for a poetry collection by a writer who is not a citizen of the United States and was published in English during the previous year. Authors...
read moreWillow Springs Books
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 4/1/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Willow Springs Books will be given annually for a debut poetry collection by a poet 40 years old or younger. Poets who have previously...
read moreKansas City Public Library
Cash Prize: $10,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 4/1/26
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.” This year...
read moreWinning Writers
Cash Prize: $2,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 4/1/26
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $2,000, a five-year membership to the submissions manager Chill Subs, a gift certificate for a two-year membership to the literary database Duotrope, and publication...
read moreOrison Books
Cash Prize: $1,500
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 4/1/26
Two prizes of $1,500 each and publication by Orison Books are given annually for a poetry collection and a book of fiction. Leila Chatti will judge in poetry, and Margot...
read moreNorth American Review
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $23
Application Deadline: 4/1/26
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, literary journalism, and other creative...
read moreOberon
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $18
Application Deadline: 4/10/26
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 moreBomb
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 4/15/26
Genre: Poetry
An award of $1,000 and publication in Bomb will be given biennially for a poem or group of poems. Using only the online submission system, submit up to five poems...
read moreFourth Genre
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 4/15/26
Genre: Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Fourth Genre is given annually for an essay. A. Kendra Greene will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit an essay...
read moreFlorida Review
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 4/15/26
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 moreEpiphany
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $10
Application Deadline: 4/15/26
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Two prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Epiphany are given annually for a poem or a group of poems and a short work of fiction or nonfiction. Using only the...
read moreNew Ohio Review
Cash Prize: $1,500
Entry Fee: $22
Application Deadline: 4/15/26
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 more