novel

A prize of $1,000 and publication by Journal of Experimental Fiction and JEF Books is given annually for an innovative novel. Submit a manuscript of any length with a $25 entry fee by August 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

A prize of $2,000, publication by Elixir Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a short story collection or a novel. Ann Harleman will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 120 to 500 pages with a $40 entry fee by May 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Two prizes of $2,000 each and publication by Sarabande Books are given annually for collections of poetry and fiction. For the Kathryn A. Morton Prize in Poetry, submit a poetry collection of at least 48 pages with a $29 entry fee by February 15. For the Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction, submit a collection of stories or novellas or a short novel of 150 to 250 pages with a $29 entry fee by February 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Two prizes of $5,500 each and publication by a participating press are given annually for a poetry collection and a short story collection. In addition, two prizes of $2,500 each and publication by a participating press are given annually for a novel and a book of creative nonfiction. For the Donald Hall Prize for Poetry, submit a manuscript of at least 48 pages; University of Pittsburgh Press will publish the winning collection. For the Grace Paley Prize for Short Fiction, submit a manuscript of 150 to 300 pages; Red Hen Press will publish the winning collection. For the AWP Prize for the Novel, submit a manuscript of at least 60,000 words; New Issues Poetry & Prose will publish the winning novel. For the AWP Prize for Creative Nonfiction, submit an essay collection or memoir of 150 to 300 pages; University of Georgia Press will publish the winning book. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript with a $30 entry fee ($20 for AWP members) by February 28. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

A prize of $1,000, publication by Black Lawrence Press, and 10 author copies is given annually for a novel. The contest is open to traditional novels “as well as novels-in-stories, novels-in-poems, or other hybrid forms that contain within them the spirit of a novel.” The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 90 to 1,000 pages with a $25 entry fee by January 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

A prize of $10,000 is given annually for a novel-in-progress by a U.S. writer who has not published a novel. Two runners-up will each receive $1,000. Using only the online submission system, submit the first 50 pages of a novel-in-progress and a two-page outline with a $33 application fee by March 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

A prize of $5,000 is given annually for a novel published in the previous year that is set in a period when the United States was at war. Publishers or authors may submit seven copies of a book published in 2020 by December 1. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.