Genre: Poetry

Three grants of $500 each are given annually in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction to “elevate, encourage, and inspire the voices of Black writers in Georgia.” Grantees also receive a scholarship to attend and present a reading at the Red Clay Writers Conference, held in March 2026 at Kennesaw State University in Marietta, Georgia. Black writers who have been residents of Georgia for at least one year (or who are full-time students at a Georgia college or university at the time of application and on the date of the award) and who have published no more than one book are eligible to apply. Submit a poetry or prose writing sample of up to 10 pages and an artist’s statement of no more than 500 words discussing your work and goals as a writer by October 1. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for an application and complete guidelines.

A prize of $1,000 and publication in North American Review is given annually for a single poem. Danez Smith will judge. Submit up to five poems of any length with a $23 entry fee, which includes an issue of North American Review, by November 1. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines. 


A prize of $1,000 and an invitation to read at the University of California in Santa Cruz in November will be given annually for a poem. Nancy Miller Gomez will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a poem of up to two pages with an $18 entry fee by September 30. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a group of poems by a writer who has not published a chapbook or full-length book of poetry. The winner is also invited to give a reading at the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival in March 2026. Skye Jackson will judge. Submit two to four poems totaling no more than 400 lines with a $15 entry fee by October 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.