book awards

Two prizes of $5,500 each and publication by a participating press are given annually for a poetry collection and a 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; University of Nebraska Press will publish the winning novel. For the Sue William Silverman 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.

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, using only the online submission system, 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, using only the online submission system, 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.

A prize of $1,000, publication by Tupelo Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a poetry chapbook. Submit a manuscript of 20 to 36 pages with a $25 entry fee by February 28. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

A prize of $5,000 and publication by Southern Indiana Review Press is given annually for a poetry collection. Michael Waters will judge. Submit 40 to 100 pages of poetry (no more than one poem per page) with a $30 entry fee, which includes a subscription to Southern Indiana Review, by February 1. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Awards are given annually for books published in the United States during the current year to recognize “outstanding literary achievement from the entire spectrum of America’s diverse literary community.” Submit two copies of a book (or bound galleys) in any genre published in 2022 by December 31. Anyone, in addition to writers and publishers, may submit nominations for the awards. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Four prizes of $1,000 each are given annually for a poetry collection, a first novel, a book of fiction, and a book of nonfiction (including creative nonfiction) by African American writers published in the United States in the current year. The awards honor books that depict the “cultural, historical, or sociopolitical aspects of the Black Diaspora.” Publishers may nominate books published in 2022 by December 31. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines and a list of jurors to whom books should be sent.

Three to four prizes of $10,000 each are given annually for a poetry collection, a book of fiction, and a book of nonfiction (including creative nonfiction) published during the current year “that contribute to our understanding of racism and our appreciation of cultural diversity.” A lifetime achievement prize is also awarded. Rita Dove, Henry Louis Gates Jr., Joyce Carol Oates, Steven Pinker, and Simon Schama will judge. Submit five copies of a book published in 2022 by December 31. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.

A prize of $1,000 and publication by Ohio University Press is given annually for a poetry collection. Claire Wahmanholm will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 60 to 95 pages with a $30 entry fee by December 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

A prize of $8,500, publication by Tupelo Press, and 20 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. The winner also receives the option of either a weeklong residency at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in North Adams, Massachusetts, or a two-week residency at Gentle House in Port Angeles, Washington, both valued at $1,500. Diane Seuss will judge. Submit a manuscript of 48 to 88 pages with a $30 entry fee by January 31. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.