Tags: book awards

National Book Awards

National Book Foundation
Entry Fee: 
$135
Deadline: 
May 13, 2026
Four prizes of $10,000 each are given annually for books of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and young people’s literature written by U.S. writers and published in the United States during the previous year. A $10,000 prize is also given for an English translation of a book of fiction or nonfiction by a living writer and translator published in the United States during the previous year. Finalists in all categories receive $1,000 each. Using the online submission form, publishers may submit titles published or scheduled for publication between December 1, 2025, and November 30, 2026, with a $135 entry fee per title by May 13. Additionally, a digital copy and six hard copies (or bound galleys) of the books must be submitted to the judges and the National Book Foundation by June 5. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.
Tags: 
book awards

Akron Poetry Prize

University of Akron Press
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
June 15, 2026
A prize of $1,500 and publication by University of Akron Press is given annually for a poetry collection. Brenda Shaughnessy will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 48 to 90 pages with a $25 entry fee by June 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Tags: 
book awards

Katherine Anne Porter Prize

University of North Texas Press
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
June 30, 2026
A prize of $1,000 and publication by University of North Texas Press is given annually for a collection of short fiction. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 100 to 200 pages with a $25 entry fee by June 30 (fee-free submissions are accepted only on June 1). Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Tags: 
short stories | book awards

Poetry Prize

Marsh Hawk Press
Entry Fee: 
$30
Deadline: 
April 30, 2026
A prize of $2,000 and publication by Marsh Hawk Press is given annually for a poetry collection. Denise Duhamel will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 48 to 84 pages with a $30 entry fee by April 30. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Tags: 
book awards

Open Competition

National Poetry Series
Entry Fee: 
$35
Deadline: 
March 21, 2026
Five prizes of $10,000 each and publication by participating trade, university, or small press publishers are given annually for poetry collections by U.S. poets. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 48 to 64 pages with a $35 entry fee by March 21. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Tags: 
book awards

Iowa Poetry Prize

University of Iowa Press
Entry Fee: 
$20
Deadline: 
April 30, 2026
Publication by University of Iowa Press is given annually for a poetry collection. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 50 to 150 pages with a $20 entry fee between April 1 and April 30. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Tags: 
book awards

Stan and Tom Wick Poetry Prize

Wick Poetry Center
Entry Fee: 
$27
Deadline: 
May 1, 2026
A prize of $2,500 and publication by Kent State University Press is given annually for a debut poetry collection. The winner is also invited to teach a weeklong writing workshop at Kent State University and give a reading with the judge. Camille T. Dungy will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 50 to 80 pages with a $27 entry fee by May 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Tags: 
book awards | first book awards

Award Series

Association of Writers & Writing Programs
Entry Fee: 
$30
Deadline: 
February 28, 2026

Three prizes of $5,500 each and publication by a participating press are given annually for a poetry collection, a short story collection, and a novel. A prize of $2,500 and publication by a participating press is also given annually for an essay collection or a memoir. For the Donald Hall Prize for Poetry, submit a manuscript of at least 48 pages. For the Grace Paley Prize for Short Fiction, submit a manuscript of 150 to 300 pages. For the James Alan McPherson Prize for the Novel, submit a manuscript of 60,000 to 110,000 words. For the Sue William Silverman Prize for Creative Nonfiction, submit a manuscript of 150 to 300 pages. 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.

Tags: 
novel | short stories | book awards

Michael Waters Poetry Prize

Southern Indiana Review
Entry Fee: 
$35
Deadline: 
February 2, 2026

A prize of $6,000 and publication by Southern Indiana Review Press is given annually for a poetry collection. Carl Phillips will judge. Submit 40 to 120 pages of poetry (no more than one poem per page) with a $35 entry fee, which includes a subscription to Southern Indiana Review, by February 2. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Tags: 
book awards

Snowbound Chapbook Award

Tupelo Press
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
February 28, 2026

A prize of $1,000, publication by Tupelo Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a poetry chapbook. Richie Hoffman will judge. 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.

Tags: 
chapbooks | book awards

Pages

Subscribe to book awards