Genre: Fiction

Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize

North Carolina Writers’ Network
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
January 30, 2025
A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a short story or a self-contained novel excerpt. The winning work of fiction is also considered for publication in Thomas Wolfe Review. John Vercher will judge. Submit a work of prose of up to 3,000 words (two copies if submitting by postal mail) with a $25 entry fee ($15 for NCWN members) by January 30. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Self-Publishing Literary Awards

Black Caucus of the American Library Association
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
February 28, 2025
Two prizes of $2,500 each are given annually for a poetry e-book and a fiction e-book self-published by an African American writer during the previous year. The awards honor books that depict “cultural, historical, and sociopolitical aspects of the Black Diaspora.” Using only the online submission system, submit an e-book self-published in 2024 by February 28. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Emerging Voices Fellowship

PEN America
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
January 31, 2025
Nine fellowships of $1,500 each and participation in a virtual five-month mentorship program, which includes one-on-one mentorship with an established writer; introductions to editors, agents, and publishers; a professional headshot; and a one-year PEN America membership, are given annually to emerging poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers “from communities that are traditionally underrepresented in the publishing world.” Fellows also participate in workshops on editing, marketing, and building a professional platform. Writers who have not yet published a book and who do not hold an advanced degree in creative writing are eligible. Using only the online submission system, submit a writing sample of up to 10 pages of poetry or 15 pages of prose, a series of personal statements, a curriculum vitae, and contact information for at least one reference with a $25 entry fee by January 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines. Note: This listing has been updated to include information provided by the sponsoring organization after the issue went to press.

Big Moose Prize

Black Lawrence Press
Entry Fee: 
$28
Deadline: 
January 31, 2025
A prize of $1,000, publication by Black Lawrence Press, and 10 author copies is given annually for a novel. The contest is open to traditional novels as well as “novels-in-stories, novels-in-poems, and other hybrid forms that contain within them the spirit of a novel.” The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 90 to 1,000 pages with a $28 entry fee by January 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
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Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award

Poets & Writers, Inc.
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
March 1, 2025
Two prizes of $500 each are given annually to a poet and a fiction writer residing in the United States. Each winner also receives a monthlong residency at the Jentel Artist Residency Program in Wyoming and will meet with writers, editors, publishers, and agents virtually or in person in New York City. The 2025 contest is open to residents of North or South Dakota. Poets and fiction writers who have published no more than one full-length book in the genre in which they are applying are eligible. Submit 7 to 10 pages of poetry or up to 25 pages of fiction via e-mail by March 1. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.

Literary Awards

Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation
Entry Fee: 
$100
Deadline: 
March 1, 2025
Two prizes of $10,000 each are given annually for a book of fiction and a book of nonfiction (including creative nonfiction) published in the previous year that “foster peace, social justice, and global understanding.” A runner-up for each prize receives $5,000. Publishers may submit any number of books published in 2024 with a $100 entry fee per title by March 1. Books first printed in or translated into English are accepted. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.

Raz-Shumaker Book Prizes

Prairie Schooner
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
March 15, 2025
Two prizes of $3,000 each and publication by University of Nebraska Press are given annually for a poetry collection and a story collection. Submit a poetry manuscript of at least 50 pages or a fiction manuscript of at least 150 pages with a $25 entry fee by March 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

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