Genre: Poetry

Furious Flower Poetry Prize

Furious Flower Poetry Center
Entry Fee: 
$20
Deadline: 
February 15, 2026

A prize of $1,500 and publication in Obsidian, the literary journal of Illinois State University, is given annually for a group of poems in conversation with the Furious Flower Poetry Center’s mission to ensure the visibility, inclusion, and critical consideration of Black poets in American letters. The winner also receives a $500 honorarium to give a reading at James Madison University. Poets who have published no more than one book are eligible. Major Jackson will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit up to three poems totaling no more than six pages with a $20 entry fee by February 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award

Poets & Writers, Inc.
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
March 1, 2026

Two prizes of $750 each are given annually to a poet and a fiction writer residing in the United States. Both winners also receive a monthlong residency at Jentel Artist Residency in Wyoming and will meet with writers, editors, publishers, and agents virtually or in person in New York City. The 2026 contest is open to residents of Connecticut. Poets and fiction writers who have published no more than one full-length book in the genre in which they are applying are eligible. Submit 7 to 10 pages of poetry or up to 25 pages of fiction via e-mail by March 1. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.

Poetry Awards

West Chester University
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
February 20, 2026

Five prizes of $1,000 to $1,500 each are given annually for a single poem “composed in the traditional modes of meter, rhyme, and received forms” (Iris N. Spencer Poetry Award); a single poem written in haiku form (Myong Cha Son Haiku Award); a single poem written in sonnet form (Sonnet Award); a single poem written in villanelle form (Villanelle Award); and a single poem written in Spanish and accompanied by the English translation or translated into Spanish and accompanied by the English original (Rhina P. Espaillat Award). Second-place prizes of $500 are also awarded for the Iris N. Spencer Poetry Award and the Myong Cha Son Haiku Award. Only undergraduate students who are enrolled in a U.S. college or university are eligible. Joan Kwon Glass will judge the first four awards, and Rhina P. Espaillat will judge her titular award. Submit up to three poems and the contact information of one referring professor by February 20. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Charles S. Longcope Jr. Writers and Artists Grant

Gay & Lesbian Review
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
February 15, 2026

Up to three grants of up to $5,000 each and publication in the Gay & Lesbian Review will be given annually for a project “with LGBTQ+ identity, experiences, or history as their primary focus” by a poet or prose writer. Students enrolled in any master’s or PhD program at the time of application whose “proposed project makes a contribution to LGBTQ+ scholarship or the arts” are eligible. Submit a 100-word project summary, a project description, a description of the proposed article, a biographical sketch, a résumé, a budget and budget narrative, an anticipated time line, a list of other funding sources for the project, and a letter verifying graduate student status by February 15. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Jan Garton Prairie Heritage Book Award

Prairie Heritage, Inc.
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
January 31, 2026

A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a published poetry collection, book of fiction, or book of creative nonfiction that “illuminates the heritage of North America’s mid-continental prairies.” Authors, publishers, and the general public may submit two copies of a book by January 31. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Joe Gouveia Outermost Poetry Contest

WOMR/WFMR Community Radio
Entry Fee: 
$15
Deadline: 
January 12, 2026

A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a single poem. Marge Piercy will judge. Submit up to five poems of no more than two pages each with a $15 entry fee by January 12. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Fiction & Poetry Contest

Hayden’s Ferry Review
Entry Fee: 
$15
Deadline: 
February 28, 2026

Two prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Hayden’s Ferry Review are given for a poem or a group of poems and a work of fiction. Sarah Ghazal Ali will judge in poetry and Gina Chung will judge in fiction. Using only the online submission system, submit one to three poems totaling no more than 10 pages or a short story or novel excerpt of up to 20 pages with a $15 or $23 entry fee, which includes a digital or print subscription to Hayden’s Ferry Review, respectively, by February 28. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Raz-Shumaker Book Prizes

Prairie Schooner
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
March 15, 2026

Two prizes of $3,000 each and publication by University of Nebraska Press are given annually for a poetry collection and a story collection. Submit a poetry manuscript of at least 50 pages or a fiction manuscript of at least 150 pages with a $25 entry fee by March 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Nicholas Schaffner Award for Music in Literature

Schaffner Press
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
January 31, 2026

A prize of $1,000 and publication by Schaffner Press is given annually for a poetry collection, a novel, a story collection, an essay collection, or a memoir that “deals in some way with the subject of music (of any genre and period) and its influence.” Submit a poetry collection of at least 60 pages or a prose manuscript of 75,000 to 100,000 words with a $25 entry fee by January 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Claire Keyes Poetry Award

Salem State University
Entry Fee: 
$10
Deadline: 
February 1, 2026

A prize of $1,000 and publication in Soundings East, the annual literary journal of Salem State University, is given annually for a group of poems. Susan Rich will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit 8 to 10 pages of poetry (no more than one poem per page) with a $10 entry fee (or $15, which includes a copy of the latest issue of Soundings East) by February 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

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