Tags: short stories
Award Series
Three prizes of $5,500 each and publication by a participating press are given annually for a poetry collection, a short story collection, and a novel. A prize of $2,500 and publication by a participating press is also given annually for an essay collection or a memoir. For the Donald Hall Prize for Poetry, submit a manuscript of at least 48 pages. For the Grace Paley Prize for Short Fiction, submit a manuscript of 150 to 300 pages. For the James Alan McPherson Prize for the Novel, submit a manuscript of 60,000 to 110,000 words. For the Sue William Silverman Prize for Creative Nonfiction, submit a manuscript of 150 to 300 pages. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript with a $30 entry fee ($20 for AWP members) by February 28. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
First Novel Fellowship
A fellowship of $12,000 is given annually for a novel-in-progress that honors “the spirit of unblinking honesty, determination, and insight into modern culture as exemplified by (the writings of) James Jones.” The first runner-up receives $3,000 and the second runner-up receives $2,000. U.S. writers who have not published a novel are eligible. Using only the online submission system, submit the first 50 pages of a novel-in-progress and a synopsis of up to two pages with a $33 entry fee by March 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Nimrod Literary Awards
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.
Ten Questions for Juhea Kim
“Art is following your soul’s demand.” —Juhea Kim, author of A Love Story From the End of the World
Fall Story Contest
A prize of $2,500 is given annually for a short story, a short short story, an essay, a memoir, a photo essay, a short graphic narrative, or an excerpt from a longer work of prose. A second-place prize of $1,000 is also awarded. The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit up to 15,000 words of prose with a $27 entry fee by November 21. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Pushcart Prizes
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.



