Genre: Poetry

Poetry Award

Lit Fox Books
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
January 15, 2026

A prize of $1,500, publication by Lit Fox Books, and 25 author copies will be given annually for a poetry collection. Kristina Marie Darling will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a poetry manuscript of at least 48 pages by January 15, 2026. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Pushcart Prizes

Pushcart Press
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
December 1, 2025

Publication in The Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses is awarded annually for works of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction published by literary magazines or small presses during the current year. Editors may nominate up to six poems, short stories, novel chapters, or essays published, or scheduled to be published, in 2025; submit one copy of each work by December 1. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Chad Walsh Chapbook Series

Beloit Poetry Journal
Entry Fee: 
$20
Deadline: 
November 30, 2025

A prize of $2,500, publication by Beloit Poetry Journal, and 50 author copies is given annually for a poetry chapbook. The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 20 to 35 pages with a $20 entry fee by November 30. A limited number of fee waivers based on financial need are available upon request via e-mail. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Book Contest

Longleaf Press
Entry Fee: 
$27
Deadline: 
January 15, 2026

A prize of $1,000, publication by Longleaf Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. The winner is also invited to give a virtual reading in early 2026. Roger Weingarten will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of at least 50 pages with a $27 entry fee by January 15, 2026. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Robert J. DeMott Short Prose Contest

Quarter After Eight
Entry Fee: 
$15
Deadline: 
November 30, 2025

A prize of $1,008.15 and publication in Quarter After Eight is given annually for a prose poem, a short short story, a micro essay, or other work of short prose. Steven Dunn will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit up to three pieces of no more than 500 words, each with a $15 entry fee, by November 30. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Literary Awards

Black Caucus of the American Library Association
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
December 31, 2025

Four prizes of $1,000 each are given annually for a poetry collection, a debut 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 2025 by December 31. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for a list of jurors to whom books should be sent and complete guidelines.

Birdy Poetry Prize

Meadowlark Press
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
December 1, 2025

A prize of $1,000, publication by Meadowlark Press, and 50 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of at least 55 pages with a $25 entry fee by December 1. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Poetry Chapbook Contest

Slipstream Press
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
December 1, 2025

A prize of $1,000, publication by Slipstream Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a poetry chapbook. The editors will judge. Submit a manuscript of up to 40 pages with a $25 entry fee, which includes a copy of the winning chapbook and an issue of Slipstream, by December 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

A. Poulin Jr. Poetry Prize

BOA Editions
Entry Fee: 
$30
Deadline: 
November 30, 2025

A prize of $1,000 and publication by BOA Editions is given annually for a debut book of poetry. Rigoberto González will judge. Submit a manuscript of 65 to 120 pages with a $30 entry fee by November 30. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Laurence Goldstein Prize in Poetry

Michigan Quarterly Review
Entry Fee: 
$20
Deadline: 
November 30, 2025

A prize of $1,000 and publication in Michigan Quarterly Review is given annually for a single poem. Hala Alyan will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit up to five poems totaling no more than 10 pages with a $20 entry fee by November 30. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

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