Genre: Poetry

Morton, McCarthy, and Sarabande Prizes

Sarabande Books
Entry Fee: 
$34
Deadline: 
February 15, 2026

Three prizes of $2,000 each and publication by Sarabande Books are given annually for a poetry collection, a work of fiction, and an essay collection. For the Kathryn A. Morton Prize in Poetry, using only the online submission system, submit a poetry collection of at least 48 pages with a $34 entry fee by February 15. For the Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction, using only the online submission system, submit a collection of stories or novellas or a short novel of 150 to 250 pages with a $34 entry fee by February 15. For the Sarabande Prize in the Essay, using only the online submission system, submit an essay collection of 150 to 250 pages with a $34 entry fee by February 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Airlie Prize

Airlie Press
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
March 15, 2026
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Airlie Press is given annually for a poetry collection. The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 48 to 90 pages with a $25 entry fee (or a $33 entry fee, which includes a copy of the winning poetry collection) by March 15. Financial assistance is available for BIPOC and trans writers. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Individual Artist Grants for Women

Money for Women/Barbara Deming Memorial Fund
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
January 31, 2026

Grants of up to $2,000 each are given in alternating years to feminist poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers who are citizens of the United States or Canada. This year, grants will be awarded to fiction writers. Using only the online submission system, submit 10 to 15 pages of prose, a statement regarding interest in receiving support from a feminist fund, a project description, a budget, and a résumé with a $25 entry fee between January 1 and January 31. A limited number of fee waivers are available upon request. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Prizes in Poetry and Prose

Slippery Elm
Entry Fee: 
$15
Deadline: 
February 1, 2026

Two prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Slippery Elm are given annually for a single poem and a short story or essay. Using only the online submission system, submit up to three poems of any length or up to 5,000 words of prose with a $15 entry fee, which includes the latest issue of Slippery Elm, by February 1. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Literary Arts Fellowships

Alabama State Council on the Arts
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
March 2, 2026

At least two fellowships of $5,000 each are given annually to poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers who are legal residents of Alabama and have lived in the state for a minimum of two years. Using only the online submission system, submit up to 20 pages of poetry or prose and a résumé including a list of publications by March 2 at 5 PM CDT. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

New American Poetry Prize

New American Press
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
January 15, 2026

A prize of $1,500, publication by New American Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. Rick Barot will judge. Writers of any citizenship working anywhere in the world are eligible. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of at least 48 pages with a $25 entry fee by January 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

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.

Wisconsin Writers Awards

Arts + Literature Laboratory
Entry Fee: 
$30
Deadline: 
January 15, 2026

Three prizes of $1,000 each and a five-day stay at Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, are given annually for a poetry collection, a book of fiction, and a book of creative nonfiction published in the previous year. Writers who are residents of Wisconsin or who have previously resided in Wisconsin for at least five years are eligible. For the Edna Meudt Poetry Book Award, submit an application form and two copies of a book of at least 48 pages published in 2025 with a $30 entry fee ($20 for Arts + Literature Laboratory members) by January 15. For the Edna Ferber Fiction Book Award and the Norbert Blei/August Derleth Nonfiction Book Award, submit an application form and two copies of a book of any length published in 2025 with a $30 entry fee ($20 for Arts + Literature Laboratory members) by January 15. All poetry and prose books must be received by January 20. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

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.

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