Genre: Poetry

A prize of $3,000, publication by Tupelo Press, and 20 author copies is given annually for a first or second poetry collection. Submit a manuscript of 48 to 88 pages with a $30 entry fee by April 30. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

A prize of $25,000 is given annually to a writer “who, like Paul Engle, represents a pioneering spirit in the world of literature through writing, editing, publishing, or teaching, and whose active participation in the larger issues of the day has contributed to the betterment of the world through the literary arts.” Poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers are eligible. Submit a nomination, including the writer’s curriculum vitae and a statement about how the writer embodies the spirit of the prize, by March 31. Self-nominations are not accepted. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

A prize of $10,000 is given in alternating years for a poetry collection or a book of fiction by an author whose work “demonstrates a commitment to social justice and diversifies contemporary American literature.” This year the award will be given for a poetry collection. The winner agrees to participate in a reading tour of Missouri colleges, universities, and libraries as well as a ceremony sponsored by the Kansas City Public Library, the University of Missouri, and the University of Missouri–Kansas City. Publishers may submit a digital copy or five print copies (or unbound galleys) of a poetry collection published in 2024 (or scheduled to be published by the end of November 2025) by April 1. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.