November/December 2026 - Recent Winners

African Poetry Book Fund

Evaristo Prize for African Poetry

Iheoma J. Uzomba of Calgary, Canada, won the 2026 Evaristo Prize for African Poetry for “Father’s Love” and other poems. She received $1,500. Leila Chatti, Tsitsi Jaji, and Ladan Osman judged. The annual award is given for a group of poems by an African poet who has not published a full-length collection. The next deadline is November 1, 2027.

Glenna Luschei Prize for African Poetry

Siphokazi Jonas of Cape Town, South Africa, won the 2025 Glenna Luschei Prize for African Poetry for her collection, Weeping Becomes a River (Penguin Books South Africa). She received $1,000. Phillippa Yaa de Villiers judged. The annual award is given for a book of poetry by an African poet published in the previous year. The next deadline is October 1, 2027.

Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poetry

Afia Ansong of Kingston, Rhode Island, won the 2026 Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poetry for her collection I buried [her] in a field of lemongrass. She received $1,000 and her collection will be published by University of Nebraska Press in fall 2027. The African Poetry Book Fund editorial board judged. The annual award is given for a debut poetry collection by an African poet. (See Deadlines.)

African Poetry Book Fund, Brown University, 102 Rockefeller Library, 10 Prospect Street, Box A, Providence, RI 02912. (401) 863-5209. Siwar Masannat, Assistant Director.
[email protected] africanpoetrybf.brown.edu/contests

Baton Rouge Area Foundation

Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence

Rob Franklin of New York City won the 2026 Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence for his novel, Great Black Hope (Summit Books). He received $15,000 and was honored at an awards ceremony in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in October. Anthony Grooms, Edward P. Jones, Opal J. Moore, Francine Prose, and Patricia Towers judged. The annual award is given to an emerging African American writer for a book of fiction published in the previous year. The next deadline is October 31, 2027.

Baton Rouge Area Foundation, Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence, 451 Florida Street, Suite LL 100, Baton Rouge, LA 70801. (225) 387-6126. Travis Hutchins, Director of Philanthropic Advising.
[email protected] ernestjgainesaward.org

Before Columbus Foundation

American Book Awards

Eleven writers received 2026 American Book Awards. They are poets Douglas Kearney of St. Paul for I Imagine I Been Science Fiction Always (Wave Books), Adela Najarro of Santa Cruz, California, for Variations in Blue (Red Hen Press), and Juliana Spahr of Berkeley, California, for Ars Poeticas (Wesleyan University Press), and nonfiction writers Omar El Akkad of Portland, Oregon, for One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This (Knopf), Nicholas Boggs of New York City for Baldwin: A Love Story (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), Cedric De Leon of Amherst, Massachusetts, for Freedom Train: Black Politics and the Story of Interracial Labor Solidarity (University of California Press), John Fugelsang of New York City for Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible From Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds (Simon & Schuster), Beth Lew-Williams of Princeton, New Jersey, for John Doe Chinaman: A Forgotten History of Chinese Life Under American Racial Law (Harvard University Press), Matthew Shipp of New York City for Black Mystery School Pianists and Other Writings (Autonomedia), Brandon M. Terry of Cambridge, Massachusetts, for Shattered Dreams, Infinite Hope: A Tragic Vision of the Civil Rights Movement (Harvard University Press), and Deborah Willis of New York City for Reflections in Black: A History of Black Photographers: 1840 to the Present, 25th Anniversary Edition (Liveright). The annual awards are given for books published in the United States during the previous year to recognize “outstanding literary achievement from the entire spectrum of America’s diverse literary community.” (See Deadlines.)

Before Columbus Foundation, American Book Awards, Raymond House, 655 13th Street, Suite 302, Oakland, CA 94612. (916) 425-7916.
[email protected]beforecolumbusfoundation.com

Bellingham Review

Literary Awards

Michelle Alexander of Chicago won the 2026 Parallel Award for Poetry for “Lit Ways.” Amy Benson of Memphis won the Tobias Wolff Award for Fiction for “Skyview, KY.” Liana Fu of Chicago won the Annie Dillard Award for Creative Nonfiction for “Blueprint of a Burning House.” They each received $1,000, and their winning works will be published in the Fall/Winter 2027 issue of Bellingham Review. Anastacia-Reneé judged in poetry, Kim Fu judged in fiction, and AJ Romriell judged in nonfiction. The annual awards are given for a poem, a short story, and a work of creative nonfiction. The next deadline is March 15, 2027.

Bellingham Review, Literary Awards, Western Washington University, 516 High Street, Mail Stop 9053, Bellingham, WA 98225. Sam X Wong, Managing Editor.
[email protected] bhreview.org/general-submissions-guidelines

Booker Prize Foundation

International Booker Prize

Fiction writer Yáng Shuāng-zǐ of Taipei and translator Lin King of New York City and Taipei won the 2026 International Booker Prize for King’s translation from the Mandarin of Shuāng-zǐ’s novel Taiwan Travelogue (And Other Stories). They each received £25,000 (approximately $33,778). The finalists were Shida Bazyar of Germany and Ruth Martin of London for Martin’s translation from the German of Bazyar’s novel The Nights Are Quiet in Tehran (Scribe UK); Rene Karabash of Bulgaria and Izidora Angel of Chicago for Angel’s translation from the Bulgarian of Karabash’s novel She Who Remains (Peirene Press); Daniel Kehlmann of Vienna, Berlin, and New York City, and Ross Benjamin of Nyack, New York, for Benjamin’s translation from the German of Kehlmann’s novel The Director (riverrun); Ana Paula Maia of Rio de Janeiro and Padma Viswanathan of Fayetteville, Arkansas, for Viswanathan’s translation from the Portuguese of Maia’s novel On Earth As It Is Beneath (Charco Press); and Marie NDiaye of Paris and Jordan Stump of Lincoln, Nebraska, for Stump’s translation from the French of NDiaye’s novel The Witch (MacLehose Press). The authors and translators each received £2,500 (approximately $3,378). Natasha Brown, Sophie Hughes, Troy Onyango, Nilanjana S. Roy, and Marcus du Sautoy judged. The annual award is given for a story collection or novel translated into English and published in the United Kingdom or Ireland between May 1 of the previous year and April 30 of the award year. As of this writing, the next deadline has not been set.

Booker Prize Foundation, International Booker Prize, New Wing, Somerset House, London, England WC2R 1LA.
internationalsubmissions@bookerprizefoun... thebookerprizes.com/international-booker-prize

Brick Road Poetry Press

Book Contest

Kelly Vande Plasse of Ft. Collins, Colorado, won the 2026 Brick Road Poetry Book Contest for Vitreous Flesh. She received $1,000, and her book will be published by Brick Road Poetry Press in 2027. The annual award is given for a poetry collection. The next deadline is February 1, 2027.

Brick Road Poetry Press, Book Contest, 36223 Dunbarton Drive, Birmingham, AL 35223. Matthew Layne, Editor.
[email protected] brickroadpoetrypress.com

Broadside Lotus Press

Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award

Michele Simms-Burton of Alexandria, Virginia, won the 2026 Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award for her untitled poetry collection. She will receive $500, and her book will be published by Broadside Lotus Press in February 2027. The annual award is given for a poetry collection by an African American poet. The next deadline is March 15, 2027.

Broadside Lotus Press, Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award, 10463 San Juan Drive, Detroit, MI 48238. Gloria House, Senior Editor.
[email protected] broadsidelotuspress.org

Commonwealth Club of California

California Book Awards

Aracelis Girmay of East Bay, California, won the 95th annual California Book Awards gold medal in poetry for her collection, Green of All Heads (Boa Editions). Susan Straight of Riverside, California, won the gold medal in fiction for her novel Sacrament (Counterpoint Press). Susanna Kwan of San Francisco won the gold medal in first fiction for her novel, Awake in the Floating City (Pantheon Books). Jeff Hobbs of Los Angeles won the gold medal in nonfiction for his book Seeking Shelter (Scribner). Jordan Thomas of Los Angeles won the gold medal in Californiana for his book, When It All Burns (Riverhead Books). Kate Folk of San Francisco won the silver medal in fiction for her novel, Sky Daddy (Random House). Jeanne Carstensen of San Francisco won the silver medal in nonfiction for her book, A Greek Tragedy: One Day, a Deadly Shipwreck, and the Human Cost of the Refugee Crisis (One Signal Publishers). The gold medal winners each received $2,500 and the silver medal winners each received $1,000. The annual awards are given to honor California writers for books of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction published during the previous year. (See Deadlines.)

Commonwealth Club of California, California Book Awards, 110 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105.
[email protected] commonwealthclub.org

Community of Literary Magazines & Presses

Firecracker Awards

Latif Askia Ba of New York City won the 12th annual Firecracker Award in poetry for his collection The Choreic Period (Milkweed Editions). Donald Carreira Ching of Honolulu won in fiction for his story collection, Blood Work (Bamboo Ridge Press). Sangamithra Iyer of New York City won in creative nonfiction for her memoir, Governing Bodies: A Memoir, a Confluence, a Watershed (Milkweed Editions). The winners received $2,000 each, split equally between the author and their respective press. José Angel Araguz, Danny Caine, and Esther Lin judged in poetry; Stacie Shannon Denetsosie, Mubanga Kalimamukwento, and Mikey LaFave judged in fiction; and Neema Avashia, Neesha Powell-Ingabire, and Riley Rennhack judged in creative nonfiction. The annual awards are given for a book of poetry, a book of fiction, and a book of creative nonfiction published by an independent press in the previous year. (See Deadlines.)

Community of Literary Magazines & Presses, Firecracker Awards, 90 Broad Street, Suite 2100, New York, NY 10004. (212) 741-9110, ext. 1
[email protected] clmp.org/programs-opportunities/firecracker

Ellen Meloy Fund

Desert Writers Award

Morgan Sjogren of Escalante, Utah, won the 2026 Ellen Meloy Fund for Desert Writers Award. She received $5,000. The annual award is given to enable a creative nonfiction writer “whose work reflects the spirit and passions for the desert embodied in Ellen Meloy’s writing” to spend creative time in a desert environment. (See Deadlines.)

Ellen Meloy Fund, Desert Writers Award, P.O. Box 288, Helena, MT 59624.
[email protected] ellenmeloy.com

Fish Publishing

Flash Fiction Prize

Lordes Mackay of Cork, Ireland, won the 2026 Flash Fiction Prize for “Impasto.” She received €1,000 (approximately $1,159) and publication in the 2026 Fish Anthology. Tania Hershman judged. The annual award is given for a work of flash fiction. The next deadline is February 28, 2027.

Short Memoir Prize

Stephanie O’Connor of Wicklow, Ireland, won the 2026 Short Memoir Prize for “Frogspawn.” She received €1,000 (approximately $1,159) and publication in the 2026 Fish Anthology. Elspeth Beard judged. The annual award is given for an essay. The next deadline is January 31, 2027.

Fish Publishing, Coomkeen, Durrus, Bantry, County Cork, Ireland P75 H704. Clem Cairns, Founding Editor.
[email protected] fishpublishing.com

Florida Review

Jeanne Leiby Memorial Chapbook Award

Elizabeth Erbeznik of Austin won the 2026 Jeanne Leiby Memorial Chapbook Award for The Oboe Is a Duck. She received $1,000, and her fiction chapbook will be published by Florida Review in November 2026. Barrett Bowlin judged. The annual award is given for a chapbook of short fiction, short nonfiction, or graphic narrative. (See Deadlines.)

Florida Review, Jeanne Leiby Memorial Chapbook Award, University of Central Florida, English Department, P.O. Box 161346, Orlando, FL 32816. David James Poissant, Editor.
[email protected] cah.ucf.edu/floridareview

Fordham University at Lincoln Center

Poetic Justice Institute Prizes

Kaitlyn Airy of Charlottesville, Virginia, won the 2025–2026 Poetic Justice Institute Prize for Braid the Dark Hair She Gave You. Shlagha Borah of Knoxville, Tennessee, won the Poetic Justice Institute Editor’s Prize for daughterline. They each received $1,000, publication by Fordham University Press in fall 2027, a publicity consultation, and a virtual book launch through the Poetic Justice Event Series. Victoria Chang judged the Poetic Justice Institute Prize, and Elisabeth Frost judged the Poetic Justice Institute Editor’s Prize. The annual awards are given for poetry collections. (See Deadlines.)

Fordham University at Lincoln Center, Poetic Justice Institute Prizes, 113 West 60th Street, New York, NY 10023. (212) 636-7870. Elisabeth Frost, Series Editor.
[email protected] poetic-justice.org

Gemini Magazine

Poetry Open

Viki Radden of Eureka, California, won the 2026 Poetry Open for “Southern Air, the Smell of It.” She received $1,000, and her poem was published in the June 2026 issue of Gemini Magazine. The editors judged. The annual award is given for a single poem. (See Deadlines.)

Gemini Magazine, Poetry Open, P.O. Box 1485, Onset, MA 02558. (339) 309-9757. David A. Bright, Editor.
[email protected] gemini-magazine.com

Griffin Trust for Excellence in Poetry

Griffin Poetry Prize

Kevin Young of New York City won the 2026 Griffin Poetry Prize for Night Watch (Knopf). He received $130,000 Canadian (approximately $93,832). The finalists were Gbenga Adesina of New York City for Death Does Not End at the Sea (University of Nebraska Press); Aracelis Girmay of East Bay, California, for Green of All Heads (Boa Editions); Elvira Hernández of Santiago, Daniel Borzutzky of Chicago, and Alec Schumacher of Spokane, Washington, for Borzutzky and Schumacher’s translation from the Spanish of Hernández’s Bodies Found in Various Places (Cardboard House Press); and Ange Mlinko of Gainesville, Florida, for Foxglovewise (Faber & Faber). They each received $10,000 Canadian (approximately $7,218). The award is given annually for a poetry collection written in or translated into English by a living poet or translator from anywhere in the world and published during the previous year. (See Deadlines.)

Canadian First Book Prize

Joseph Kidney of the Bay Area, California, and Vancouver, Canada, won the 2026 Canadian First Book Prize for Devotional Forensics (icehouse poetry). He received $10,000 Canadian (approximately $7,218). The award is given annually for a debut poetry collection by a living Canadian poet or permanent resident published during the previous year. (See Deadlines.)

Griffin Trust for Excellence in Poetry, 128 Sterling Road, Lower Level, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6R 2B7. Antonia LaMantia, Submissions Manager.
[email protected] griffinpoetryprize.com

Hub City Press

C. Michael Curtis Short Story Book Prize

Kaylie Saidin of Wilmington, North Carolina, won the 2026 C. Michael Curtis Short Story Book Prize for Goose Update. She received $5,000, and her book will be published by Hub City Press in fall 2027. The biennial award was given for a story collection written by an emerging writer. This winner marks the final year of the prize.

Hub City Press, 186 W Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306. (864) 577-9349. Kate McMullen, Managing Editor.
[email protected] hubcity.org/publishing

Journal of Experimental Fiction

Kenneth Patchen Award

Doren Robbins of Santa Cruz, California, won the 2026 Kenneth Patchen Award for his novel Recordations. He received $1,000, and his book will be published by JEF Books. Jeffrey Scott Weisman judged. The annual award is given for an innovative novel. The next deadline is August 31, 2027.

Journal of Experimental Fiction, Kenneth Patchen Award, 1316 Sherman Avenue, #216, Evanston, IL 60201. Eckhard Gerdes, Editor and Publisher.
[email protected] experimentalfiction.com

Leon Levy Center for Biography

Leon Levy Biography Fellowships

Jefferson Cowie of Nashville, Rowena Kennedy-Epstein of Bristol, England, and Angus Reilly and Katie Roiphe, both of New York City, received the 2026–2027 Leon Levy Biography Fellowships. Catherine Mas of Miami received the 2026–2027 Sloan Fellowship. They each received $72,000, writing space at the CUNY Graduate Center in New York City, access to research facilities, and research assistance from a graduate student. The four annual Leon Levy Biography Fellowships are given to writers working on a biography. The annual Sloan Fellowship is given to a writer working on a biography of a figure in the field of science or technology. (See Deadlines.)

Leon Levy Center for Biography, Leon Levy Biography Fellowships, Graduate Center, CUNY, 365 Fifth Avenue, Room 5406, New York, NY 10016. Thad Ziolkowski, Deputy Director.
[email protected] llcb.ws.gc.cuny.edu/fellowships/biography-fellowships

Lit Fox Books

Poetry Award

Paige Webb of Kansas City, Missouri, won the 2026 Lit Fox Poetry Award for Sundry Theatres. They received $1,500, and their collection will be published by Lit Fox Books in May 2027. Kristina Marie Darling judged. The annual award is given for a poetry collection. (See Deadlines.)

Lit Fox Books, Poetry Award, 7107 Foxtree Cove, Austin, TX 78750. (317) 446-2020. Joseph Lamm, Board Member.
[email protected] litfoxbooks.com

Masters Review

Novel Excerpt Contest

Nick Otte of New York City won the fifth annual Novel Excerpt Contest for an excerpt of “The Snag.” He received $3,000, online publication in Masters Review, and an hour-long consultation with Marin Takikawa of the Friedrich Agency. Nick Fuller Googins judged. The annual award is given for an excerpt of an unpublished novel or novel-in-progress by an emerging writer. The next deadline is October 31, 2027.

Winter Short Story Award for New Writers

Carol Keeley of Boulder, Colorado, won the 2025–2026 Winter Short Story Award for New Writers for “Wind and Embers.” She received $3,000, publication in Masters Review, and an agency review. Jim Shepard judged. The annual award is given for a short story or work of creative nonfiction. The next deadline is January 31, 2027.

Masters Review, 70 SW Century Drive, Suite 100442, Bend, OR 97702. Chelsea D’Errico, Chief Operations Officer.
[email protected] mastersreview.com

Munster Literature Centre

Gregory O’Donoghue International Poetry Competition

Anthony Lawrence of Queensland, Australia, won the 2026 Gregory O’Donoghue International Poetry Competition for “Seeing Red.” He received €2,000 (approximately $2,318) and publication of his poem in Issue 50 of Southword. He was also invited to give a featured reading at the Cork International Poetry Festival in Cork, Ireland, in May. Dean Browne judged. The annual award is given for a single poem. (See Deadlines.)

Munster Literature Centre, Gregory O’Donoghue International Poetry Competition, Frank O’Connor House, 84 Douglas Street, Cork, Ireland T12 X802.
[email protected] munsterlit.ie/odonoghue-competition

Narrative

Winter Story Contest

Dina Kleiner of Iowa City won the 2026 Winter Story Contest for the short story “Private Planet.” She received $2,500. The annual award is given for a short story, a short short story, an essay, a memoir, a photo essay, a short graphic narrative, or an excerpt from a longer work of prose. As of this writing, the next deadline has not been set.

Narrative, Winter Story Contest. Tom Jenks, Editor.
[email protected] narrativemagazine.com

Narratively

Memoir Prize

Andrew Printer of Southern California won the 2025 Narratively Memoir Prize for “My Absolutely Chaotic Adventures at Sea During the Summer of 1984.” He received $3,000, and his story was published on Narratively’s storytelling platform. Susannah Cahalan judged. The annual award is given for a short work of memoir written in the first person. (See Deadlines.)

Narratively, Memoir Prize. Jesse Sposato, Executive Editor.
[email protected] narratively.com

Nimrod International Journal

Neruda and Porter Prizes

Tristram Fane Saunders of London won the 48th annual Pablo Neruda Prize for Poetry for “Jukebox.” He received $2,000. Jerry Harp of Portland, Oregon, won the $1,000 second-place prize for “Eve’s Milton.” Alexa T. Dodd of Dallas won the Katherine Anne Porter Prize for Fiction for “Roots.” She received $2,000. Lori J. Williams of Urbana, Illinois, won the $1,000 second-place prize for “Mother of the Groom.” The winning works will appear in the Winter 2027 issue of Nimrod International Journal. Rachel Hadas judged in poetry, and Adam Johnson judged in fiction. The annual awards are given for a single long poem or group of poems and a story or a self-contained excerpt of a novel. The next deadline is January 31, 2027.

Nimrod International Journal, Neruda and Porter Prizes, University of Tulsa, 800 S. Tucker Drive, Tulsa, OK 74104. (918) 631-3080. Boris Dralyuk, Editor in Chief.
[email protected] nimrod.utulsa.edu

Omnidawn Publishing

Poetry Open Book Contest

Daniel DeVaughn of Denton, Texas, won the 2025 Omnidawn Poetry Open Book Contest for The Passion. He will receive $3,000, publication by Omnidawn Publishing in spring 2028, and 20 author copies. Jose-Luis Moctezuma judged. The annual award is given for a poetry collection. The next deadline is August 16, 2027.

Omnidawn Publishing, Poetry Open Book Contest, 1632 Elm Avenue, Richmond, CA 94805. (510) 439-6285. Laura Joakimson and Rusty Morrison, Copublishers.
[email protected] omnidawn.com

Passager

Henry Morgenthau III First Book Poetry Prize

Kathy O’Fallon of Encinitas, California, won the 2026 Henry Morgenthau III First Book Poetry Prize for Proof of Life. She received $2,000, and her collection will be published by Passager Books in fall 2026. Alicia Ostriker judged. The biennial prize is given for a first book of poems by a writer 70 or older. The next deadline is January 15, 2028.

Poetry Prize

Rupert Fike of Clarkston, Georgia, won the 2026 Passager Poetry Prize for “Notes From a Refugee Resettlement Town” and other poems. He received $1,000, and his poems were published in Issue 81 of Passager. The annual award is given for five poems by a writer over 50. The next deadline is April 15, 2027.

Passager, 7401 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21208. Rosanne Singer, Editor.
[email protected] passagerbooks.com

PEN America

Emerging Voices Fellowship

Eleven writers received 2026 Emerging Voices Fellowships. They are poets Chisara Asomugha of Torrance, California, José Enrique Medina of Whittier, California, and Norman Tran of Arcadia, California; fiction writers Vanessa Butler of Escondido, California, Monée Fields-White and Jamie Issuh, both of Los Angeles, Sharon S.Y. Lee of San Diego, Guy Melvin of New York City, and Ricardo Pierre-Louis of Chicago; and creative nonfiction writers Raesin Caine of Amherst, Massachusetts, and Liana Fu of Hoffman Estates, Illinois. They each received $1,500, a professional headshot, a one-year PEN America membership, a five-month professional mentorship with an established writer, and introductions to writers, editors, agents, and publishers. They will also participate in workshops on editing, public performance, and building a professional platform. The annual awards are given to emerging poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers. The next deadline is January 31, 2027.

PEN America, Emerging Voices Fellowship, 120 Broadway, 26th Floor-North, New York, NY 10271.
[email protected] pen.org/emerging-voices-fellowship

PEN/Faulkner Foundation

Pen/Bernard and Ann Malamud Award

Elizabeth McCracken of Bath, England, won the 2026 PEN/Bernard and Ann Malamud Award for Excellence in the Short Story. McCracken, whose most recent story collection is Souvenir Museum (Ecco, 2021), received $7,500 and was honored at a ceremony in partnership with American University in Washington, D.C., in October. The annual award “recognizes writers who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in the short story form.” There is no application process.

PEN/Faulkner Foundation, 6218 Georgia Avenue NW, Unit #1062, Washington, D.C. 20011. Sarah Silberman, Awards and Literary Programs Director.
[email protected] penfaulkner.org

Plentitudes

Plentitudes Prizes in Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Flash

Lina Stoyanovich of New York City won the 2026 Plentitudes Prize in poetry for “At the Ranch for Troubled Girls.” Lennie Roeber-Tsiongas of Los Angeles won in fiction for “A Word for I.” Sophia Khan of Kalamazoo, Michigan, won in nonfiction for “The Terminal Velocity of Narrative.” Lynne Sherbondy of West Shokan, New York, won in flash for “Combustion.” The winners each received $1,000 and publication in Plentitudes. Latif Askia Ba judged in poetry, Stephanie Wambugu judged in fiction, Diane Vonglis Parnell judged in nonfiction, and Ines Rodrigues judged in flash. The annual awards are given for a single poem, a short story, an essay, and a work of flash fiction or nonfiction. (See Deadlines.)

Plentitudes, Plentitudes Prizes in Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Flash, 27 West 94th Street, New York, NY 10025. Wally Suphap, Editor in Chief.
[email protected] theplentitudes.com

Poetry Foundation

Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowships

Five poets each received a $27,000 Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowship from the Poetry Foundation. The 2026 fellows are Xochi Quetzali Cartland and Fatima Jafar, both of Washington, D.C.; Noel Munguia-Moreno of Newark, New Jersey; Shaina Phenix of Greensboro, North Carolina; and Tariq Thompson of New York City. The applications were reviewed by a combination of external readers and judges. The annual awards are given to poets between the ages of 21 and 31 to support their continued study and practice of writing poetry. The next deadline is March 2, 2027.

Poetry Foundation, Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowships, 61 West Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60654.
[email protected] poetryfoundation.org/awards/prizes-fellowship

Poetry Society of America

Four Quartets Prize

Daniel Schonning of the Finger Lakes region of New York won the 2026 Four Quartets Prize for As When Walking (University of Chicago Press). He will receive $20,000. The finalists were Juliana Spahr of Berkley, California, for her poem “scotch broom” from the collection Ars Poeticas (Wesleyan University Press) and Annie Wenstrup of the traditional territories of the lower Tanana Dene Peoples in Fairbanks, Alaska, for The Museum of Unnatural Histories (Wesleyan University Press). They each received $1,000. Paisley Rekdal, Charif Shanahan, and Brian Teare judged. The annual award is given for “a unified and complete sequence of poems published in the United States” in the previous year. (See Deadlines.)

Shelley Memorial Award

Joan Naviyuk Kane of Portland won the 2026 Shelley Memorial Award. Kane, whose most recent poetry collection is with snow pouring southward past the window (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2026), received $7,000. Heather Christle, Natalie Shapero, and Brandon Som judged. The annual award is given to a poet selected with reference to their “poetic genius.” There is no application process.

Chapbook Fellowships

Xinyue Huang of New York City and Jesse Littlejohn of Princeton, New Jersey, won the 2026 Chapbook Fellowships. Huang won for Occasions of Origin, chosen by Dawn Lundy Martin, and Littlejohn won for Glory Days, chosen by Robyn Schiff. The winners each received $1,000, and their chapbooks will be published by the Poetry Society of America. The annual awards are given for poetry chapbooks. As of this writing, the next deadline has not been set.

Poetry Society of America, 119 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201. (212) 254-9628.
[email protected] poetrysociety.org

Poets & Writers, Inc.

Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award

Poet Scott Frey of Granby, Connecticut, and fiction writer Jack Powers of Fairfield, Connecticut, won the 2026 Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award. They each received $500; a monthlong residency at the Jentel Artist Residency Program in Banner, Wyoming; and an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to meet with agents, editors, and prominent writers. Ciaran Berry judged in poetry, and Alejandro Heredia judged in fiction. The annual award is given to a poet and a fiction writer from a select state; in 2026, the award invited Connecticut residents to apply. As of this writing, the next deadline has not been set.

Poets & Writers, Inc., Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award, 90 Broad Street, Suite 2100, New York, NY 10004. (212) 226-3586, ext. 226. Ricardo Hernandez, Assistant Director of Programs and Partnerships.
[email protected] at.pw.org/wexaward

Press 53

Prime Number Magazine Awards

Justin Hunt of Santa Fe won the 2026 Prime Number Magazine Award in poetry for “The Odds Are Against You and Me.” Alice Hatcher of Tucson won in short fiction for “A Wreck of a Place.” They both received $1,000 and publication in Issue 293 of Prime Number Magazine. Terri Kirby Erickson judged in poetry, and Jodi Paloni judged in fiction. The annual awards are given for a single poem and a short story. The next deadline is March 31, 2027.

Award for Short Fiction

Ann Landi of Taos, New Mexico, won the 2026 Press 53 Award for Short Fiction for Bad Romance. She received $1,000, publication of her book by Press 53 in March 2027, and 53 author copies. Kevin Morgan Watson judged. The annual award is given for a story collection. (See Deadlines.)

Press 53, 560 N. Trade Street, Suite 103, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. (336) 770-5353. Kevin Morgan Watson, Publisher and Editor in Chief.
[email protected] press53.com

River Teeth

Literary Nonfiction Book Prize

Anne Goldman of Concord, Massachusetts, won the 2025 Literary Nonfiction Book Prize for House of Fragile Things. She received $1,000, and her book will be published by University of New Mexico Press in spring 2027. Ander Monson judged. The annual award is given for a book of nonfiction. The next deadline is October 31, 2027.

River Teeth, Literary Nonfiction Book Prize, Ball State University, English Department, 2000 W. University Avenue, Muncie, IN 47306.
[email protected] riverteethjournal.com

Schaffner Press

Nicholas Schaffner Award for Music in Literature

Monifa Love of Bowie, Maryland, won the 11th annual Nicholas Schaffner Award for Music in Literature for her poetry collection After the Rain. She received $1,000, and her book will be published by Schaffner Press in summer 2027. The annual award is given for a poetry collection, novel, story collection, essay collection, or memoir that “deals in some way with the subject of music and its influence.” The next deadline is January 30, 2027.

Schaffner Press, Nicholas Schaffner Award for Music in Literature, P.O. Box 41567, Tucson, AZ 85717. Sean Murphy, Editor.
[email protected] schaffnerawards.com

Silverfish Review Press

Gerald Cable Book Award

Paula Finn of Kingston, New York, won the 2025 Gerald Cable Book Award for The Sun in Slices. She received $1,000, publication of her book by Silverfish Review Press, and 25 author copies. Rodger Moody judged. The annual award is given for a debut poetry collection. As of this writing, the next deadline has not been set.

Silverfish Review Press, Gerald Cable Book Award, P.O. Box 3541, Eugene, OR 97403. Rodger Moody, Series Editor.
[email protected] silverfishreviewpress.com

Slipstream Press

Poetry Chapbook Contest

Sandra S. McRae of Lakewood, Colorado, won the 2026 Poetry Chapbook Contest for The Insomniac’s Zoo. She received $1,000, and her chapbook was published by Slipstream Press in September. She also received 25 author copies. The editors judged. The annual award is given for a poetry chapbook. (See Deadlines.)

Slipstream Press, Poetry Chapbook Contest, P.O. Box 2071, Niagara Falls, NY 14301.
[email protected] slipstreampress.org

Southern Poetry Review

Guy Owen Prize

Matthew Thorburn of central New Jersey won the 2026 Guy Owen Prize for “Time.” He received $1,000, and his poem was published in Volume 64, Issue 1 of Southern Poetry Review. Jeffrey Harrison judged. The annual award is given for a single poem. The next deadline is May 31, 2027.

Southern Poetry Review, Guy Owen Prize, English Department, Georgia Southern University, Armstrong Campus, 11935 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31419. (912) 344-3196. James Smith, Editor.
[email protected] southernpoetryreview.org

Tampa Review

Danahy Fiction Prize

Dana Baylous of Houston won the 2026 Danahy Fiction Prize for “The Body Electric.” She received $1,000, and her story will be published in Issue 72 of Tampa Review. Kristen Arnett judged. The annual award is given for a short story. (See Deadlines.)

Tampa Review, Danahy Fiction Prize, University of Tampa Press, 401 West Kennedy Boulevard, Box 19F, Tampa, FL 33606. (813) 253-6266.
[email protected] tampareview.org

Travelers’ Tales

Solas Awards

Stephen Carr Hampton of Port Townsend, Washington, won the 2026 Solas Awards Grand Prize for “Going to Water.” He received $1,000 and publication on the Travelers’ Tales website. Scott Dominic Carpenter judged. The annual award is given for a travel essay. As of this writing, the next deadline has not been set.

Travelers’ Tales, Solas Awards, 2320 Bowdoin Street, Palo Alto, CA 94306.
[email protected] besttravelwriting.com

TRP

George Garrett Fiction Prize

Chika Onyenezi of Missouri City, Texas, won the 2025 George Garrett Fiction Prize for Blood. He received $2,000, publication by TRP: The University Press of Sam Houston State University, and 10 author copies. Fernando A. Flores judged. The annual award is given for a novel or short story collection. The next deadline is June 30, 2027.

Robert Phillips Chapbook Prize

juj e. lepe of Chicago won the 2026 Robert Phillips Chapbook Prize for Your Name Means Solitude. They received $1,000, publication by TRP: The University Press of Sam Houston State University, and 10 author copies. francine j. harris judged. The annual award is given for a poetry chapbook. The next deadline is March 31, 2027.

TRP: The University Press of Sam Houston State University, P.O. Box 2146, Huntsville, TX 77341. (936) 294-1992.
[email protected] texasreviewpress.org/submissions

University of Massachusetts Press

Juniper Prizes

Lisa Beech Hartz of Portsmouth, Virginia, and Susanna Schantz of Clemson, South Carolina, won the 2026 Juniper Prizes for poetry. Hartz won for her collection The Body Taken, and Schantz won for her debut collection, SIGN BROKEN, MESSAGE INSIDE. Casey Bell of Reno, Nevada, and Geeta Kohli of New York City won the prizes in fiction. Bell won for her novel, Glass Eel, and Kohli won for her story collection, The Indianness. Adriana Páramo of Kissimmee, Florida, won the prize in creative nonfiction for her essay collection Between What Was and What Is. They each received $1,000, and their books will be published by University of Massachusetts Press in spring 2027. John Hennessy judged in poetry, Kelly Link judged in fiction, and Jennifer De Leon judged in creative nonfiction. The annual awards are given for two poetry collections (one by a debut author), two books of fiction, and a book of creative nonfiction. The next deadline is September 30, 2027.

University of Massachusetts Press, Juniper Prizes, East Experiment Station, 671 N. Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01003.
[email protected] umasspress.com/juniper-prizes

Virginia Commonwealth University

Cabell First Novelist Award

Olufunke Grace Bankole of Portland, Oregon, won the 25th annual Cabell First Novelist Award for The Edge of Water (Tin House). She received $5,000 and will participate in an award event in November 12. A committee of VCU faculty and MFA candidates judged. The annual award is given for a debut novel published during the previous year. (See Deadlines.)

Virginia Commonwealth University, Cabell First Novelist Award, c/o VCU English Department, Hibbs Building, Box 842005, Richmond, VA 23284. Channler Twyman, Award Fellow.
[email protected] firstnovelist.vcu.edu

Winning Writers

Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest

Tim Loveday of Melbourne, Australia, won the 2026 Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest for his poem “Dog Act(or).” He received $2,000, gift certificates for literary information services from Duotrope and Chill Subs, and publication on the Winning Writers website. Annah Chiedza Hodhera of Harare, Zimbabwe, won the second-place prize for “Ode on a Grecian Takeout Container.” She received $500, a gift certificate for literary information services from Chill Subs, and publication on the Winning Writers website. Jendi Reiter and Lauren Singer judged. The annual award is given for a humorous poem. The next deadline is April 1, 2027.

Winning Writers, Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest, 351 Pleasant Street, Suite B PMB 222, Northampton, MA 01060. (413) 320-1847. Adam Cohen, President.
[email protected] winningwriters.com