Writing 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.

BOA Editions

Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 11/30/24
Genre: Poetry

A prize of $1,000 and publication by BOA Editions is given annually for a debut book of poetry. Maya C. Popa will judge. Submit a manuscript of 65 to 120 pages with a $30 entry...

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Munster Literature Centre

Cash Prize: $2,202
Entry Fee: $8
Application Deadline: 11/30/24
Genre: Poetry

A prize of €2,000 (approximately $2,202) and publication in Southword is given annually for a single poem. The winner will also receive a four-night hotel stay with...

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LitMag

Cash Prize: $1,250
Entry Fee: $16
Application Deadline: 11/30/24
Genre: Fiction

A prize of $1,250 and publication in LitMag is given annually for a work of flash fiction. The winner will also have their work reviewed by agents Jenny Bent (Bent...

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Tadpole Press

Cash Prize: $2,000
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 11/30/24

A prize of $2,000 and publication on the Tadpole Press website and in Tadpole Press Literary Magazine is given biannually for a work of flash poetry or prose. Submit a...

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Poetry International

Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 12/1/24
Genre: Poetry

A prize of $1,000 and publication in Poetry International is given annually for a single poem. The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit...

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Five Points

Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/1/24
Genre: Poetry

A prize of $1,000 and publication in Five Points is given annually for a group of poems. The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit up to...

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Pushcart Press

Cash Prize: $0
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/1/24

Publication in The Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses is awarded annually for works of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction published by literary magazines...

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Athenaeum of Philadelphia

Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/1/24

Up to two prizes of $1,000 each and an invitation to give a public lecture at the Athenaeum of Philadelphia will be given annually for books of fiction and/or nonfiction...

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Regal House Publishing

Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/1/24
Genre: Fiction

A prize of $1,000 and publication by Regal House Publishing is given annually for a story collection. Heather Bell Adams will judge. Submit a manuscript of 100 to 350 pages...

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African Poetry Book Fund

Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/1/24
Genre: Poetry

A prize of $1,000 and publication by University of Nebraska Press and Amalion, an independent publishing house based in Dakar, is given annually for a debut poetry collection...

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Meadowlark Press

Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/1/24
Genre: Poetry

A prize of $1,000, publication by Meadowlark Press, and 50 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript...

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Slipstream Press

Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 12/1/24
Genre: Poetry

A prize of $1,000, publication by Slipstream Press, and 50 author copies is given annually for a poetry chapbook. The editors will judge. Submit a manuscript of up to 40 pages...

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Waywiser Press

Cash Prize: $3,000
Entry Fee: $29
Application Deadline: 12/1/24
Genre: Poetry

A prize of $3,000 and publication by the Waywiser Press is given annually for a poetry collection by a poet who has published no more than one previous collection. The winner...

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Friends of American Writers

Cash Prize: $2,500
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/14/24

A prize of $2,500 is given annually for a book of fiction or creative nonfiction published during the current year that is set in the Midwest or by a writer who is a resident...

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Story

Cash Prize: $1,500
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/15/24
Genre: Fiction

A prize of $1,500 and publication in Story is given annually for a short story. Using only the online submission system, submit a story of up to 10,000 words with a $...

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Narratively

Cash Prize: $3,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 12/19/24

A prize of $3,000 and publication in Narratively will be given annually for a short work of memoir written in the first person. Two runners-up prizes of $1,000 each...

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Griffin Trust for Excellence in Poetry

Cash Prize: $95,542
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/20/24
Genre: Poetry

A prize of $130,000 Canadian (approximately $95,542) is given annually for a poetry collection published during the current year and written in, or translated into, English....

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Center for Book Arts

Cash Prize: $500
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 12/20/24
Genre: Poetry

A prize of $500 and letterpress publication by the Center for Book Arts is given annually for a poetry chapbook. The winner also receives 10 copies of their chapbook, an...

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Griffin Trust for Excellence in Poetry

Cash Prize: $7,349
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/20/24
Genre: Poetry

A prize of $10,000 Canadian (approximately $7,349) is awarded for a debut poetry collection by a living Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada published during the...

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Virginia Commonwealth University

Cash Prize: $5,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/30/24
Genre: Fiction

A prize of $5,000 is given annually for a debut novel published during the current year. The winner is also provided money for the cost of travel and lodging to attend the...

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Codhill Press

Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 12/30/24
Genre: Poetry

A prize of $1,000, publication by Codhill Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. James Sherwood will judge. Submit a manuscript of 48 to 70...

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Poetry Society of America

Cash Prize: $2,500
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 12/31/24
Genre: Poetry

A prize of $2,500 and publication on the Poetry Society of America website is given annually to a poet over 40 who has published no more than one poetry collection. Using only...

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Michigan Quarterly Review

Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 12/31/24
Genre: Poetry

A prize of $1,000 and publication in Michigan Quarterly Review is given annually for a single poem. Cyrus Cassells will judge. Using only the online submission system...

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Alternating Current Press

Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $18
Application Deadline: 12/31/24

A prize of $1,000, publication by Alternating Current Press, and 25 author copies will be given annually for a poetry collection, story collection, essay collection, novel,...

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LitMag

Cash Prize: $2,500
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 12/31/24
Genre: Fiction

A prize of $2,500 and publication in LitMag is given annually for a short story. The winner will also have their work reviewed by agents Lisa Bankoff (Bankoff...

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