Genre: Poetry

Poetry Prize

Red Wheelbarrow
Entry Fee: 
$15
Deadline: 
July 31, 2026
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Red Wheelbarrow is given annually for a single poem. The winner also receives 20 copies of a letterpress broadside of the winning poem, printed by Gary Young at Greenhouse Review Press. Lee Herrick will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit up to three poems of no more than one page each with a $15 entry fee by July 31. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Richard-Gabriel Rummonds Poetry Contest

Ex Ophidia Press
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
September 16, 2026
A prize of $2,000, publication by Ex Ophidia Press, and 10 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. Leslie Adrienne Miller will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 50 to 100 pages and a brief bio with a $25 entry fee by September 16. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Cantor Prize

Talking Gourds
Entry Fee: 
$14
Deadline: 
August 31, 2026
A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a single poem about the state of Colorado or written by a poet residing in Colorado. Scott Nicolay will judge. Submit a poem of up to 125 lines totaling no more than three pages with a $14 entry fee ($35 for three poems) by August 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Other Futures Award

Futurepoem
Entry Fee: 
$28
Deadline: 
August 15, 2026
A prize of $1,000, publication by Futurepoem, and 25 author copies is given annually for a book of innovative poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or hybrid work “that challenges conventions of genre and language, content and form.” The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of up to 200 pages with a $28 entry fee (or a sliding-scale fee of $9 or $18 based on financial need) from July 15 to August 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Fischer Prize

Talking Gourds
Entry Fee: 
$14
Deadline: 
August 31, 2026
A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a single poem. Lesley Wheeler will judge. Submit a poem of up to 125 lines totaling no more than three pages with a $14 entry fee ($35 for three poems) by August 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Muriel Craft Bailey Memorial Poetry Contest

Comstock Review
Entry Fee: 
$28
Deadline: 
July 15, 2026
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Comstock Review is given annually for a single poem. Donald Revell will judge. Submit up to five poems of no more than 60 lines each with a $27.50 entry fee (or $5 per poem via postal mail) by July 15. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Granum Foundation Prizes

Granum Foundation
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
August 1, 2026
A prize of $5,000 is given annually to a poet, fiction writer, or creative nonfiction writer to support the completion of a manuscript-in-progress. Up to three finalists are awarded at least $500 each. A Translation Prize of at least $1,500 is also given. Using only the online submission system, submit 12 poems or a prose sample of up to 25 pages by August 1. The contest will close once 1,000 entries are received. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.

Stories That Need to Be Told Contest

TulipTree Publishing
Entry Fee: 
$20
Deadline: 
August 9, 2026
A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a poem, a short story, or an essay that responds to the following prompt: “What if the only way to save yourself from this reality is to write yourself a new one?” The winner also receives publication in the annual Stories That Need to Be Told anthology. Submit a poem of up to five pages or a story or essay of up to 10,000 words via e-mail with a $20 entry fee (sent via postal mail or Square Point of Sale) by August 9. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Poetry Prize

Rattle
Entry Fee: 
$30
Deadline: 
July 15, 2026
A prize of $15,000 and publication in Rattle is given annually for a single poem. A Readers’ Choice Award of $5,000 and publication is also given to one of ten finalists. Using only the online submission system, submit up to four poems of any length with a $30 entry fee, which includes a subscription to Rattle, by July 15. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Poetry Contest

Grayson Books
Entry Fee: 
$26
Deadline: 
August 15, 2026

A prize of $1,000, publication by Grayson Books, and 10 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. Bruce Cohen will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 50 to 90 pages with a $26 entry fee by August 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

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