Genre: Poetry

Nimrod Literary Awards

Nimrod International Journal
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
January 31, 2026

Two prizes of $2,000 each and publication in Nimrod International Journal are given annually for a poem or group of poems and a work of fiction. A runner-up in each category receives $1,000 and publication. The winners are also invited to participate in a virtual awards ceremony in the fall. Submit three to eight pages of poetry or a story or novel excerpt of up to 5,000 words with a $25 entry fee, which includes a subscription to Nimrod International Journal, by January 31. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Philip Roth Residencies

Stadler Center for Poetry & Literary Arts
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
February 1, 2026

Two residencies of up to four months at the Stadler Center for Poetry & Literary Arts at Bucknell University, which include a stipend of $5,000 each, are given annually to writers working on a first or second book in any literary genre, including poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, hybrid work, and graphic novels. Using only the online submission system, submit a writing sample of up to 20 pages, a curriculum vitae, and three letters of recommendation by February 1. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

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.

Henry Morgenthau III First Book Poetry Prize

Passager Books
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
January 15, 2026

A prize of $2,000 and publication by Passager Books is given biennially for a first book of poems by a writer who is 70 years old or older. Submit a manuscript of 50 to 65 pages with a $25 entry fee by January 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Writing Prizes

swamp pink
Entry Fee: 
$20
Deadline: 
January 31, 2026

Three prizes of $2,000 each and publication in swamp pink are given annually for a single poem, a short story, and an essay. Using only the online submission system, submit up to three poems or a story or essay of up to 25 pages with a $20 entry fee by January 31. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Balcones Prizes

Austin Community College
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
January 31, 2026

Three prizes of $1,500 each are given annually for a poetry collection, a book of fiction, and a book of creative nonfiction published during the previous year. Authors or publishers may submit three copies of a book published in 2025 (poetry collections must be at least 42 pages in length) by January 31. The entry fee is $25 for poetry and $30 for fiction and creative nonfiction. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.

Lexi Rudnitsky Editor’s Choice Award

Persea Books
Entry Fee: 
$30
Deadline: 
March 15, 2026

A prize of $2,000 and publication by Persea Books is given annually for a poetry collection by a poet who is a U.S. citizen or resides in the United States and who has published at least one poetry collection. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of at least 48 pages with a $30 entry fee by March 15. A limited number of fee waivers are available on request based on financial need. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Wild Women Story Contest

TulipTree Publishing
Entry Fee: 
$20
Deadline: 
March 8, 2026

A prize of $1,000 and publication in TulipTree Review is given annually for a single poem, a short story, or an essay “whose main characters embody the Wild Woman spirit.” Submit up to five pages of poetry or up to 10,000 words of prose with a $20 entry fee by March 8. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Self-Publishing Literary Awards

Black Caucus of the American Library Association
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
February 28, 2026
Two prizes of $2,500 each are given annually for a poetry e-book and a fiction e-book self-published by an African American writer during the previous year. The awards honor books that depict “cultural, historical, and sociopolitical aspects of the Black Diaspora.” Using only the online submission system, submit an e-book self-published in 2025 by February 28. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Allen Ginsberg Poetry Awards

Poetry Center at Passaic County Community College
Entry Fee: 
$20
Deadline: 
February 1, 2026

A prize of $2,000 and publication in Paterson Literary Review is given annually for a single poem. A second-place prize of $1,000 and publication is also given. The winning poets are invited to give a reading at the Poetry Center in Paterson, New Jersey. Using only the online submission system, submit three copies of up to five poems of no more than two pages each with a $20 entry fee by February 1. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

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