Upcoming Writing Contests

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A prize of $1,000 and publication in American Short Fiction is given annually for a work of flash fiction. Karen Russell will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit up to three stories of no more than 1,000 words each with an $18 entry fee by February 1. All entries are considered for publication. 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.
Two prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Poetry Northwest are given annually for a single poem by an Indigenous poet. The winners will also receive an all-expenses-paid trip to read with the judge in the fall of 2023. Writers who have published no more than one full-length book and who are community-recognized members of tribal nations within the United States and its territories are eligible. Heid E. Erdrich will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit up to three poems of any length by February 28. All entries are considered for publication. There is no entry fee. 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.
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Soundings East is given annually for a group of poems. January Gill O’Neil will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit 8 to 10 pages of poetry (no more than one poem per page) with a $10 entry fee ($15 for a subscription to Soundings East) by February 1. 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.
A prize of $1,500, publication by New American Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. Jamaica Baldwin will judge. Writers of any citizenship working anywhere in the world are eligible, though the work should presume English-language readers. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of at least 48 pages with a $25 entry fee by February 15. 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.
A prize of $8,500, publication by Tupelo Press, and 20 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. The winner also receives the option of either a weeklong residency at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in North Adams, Massachusetts, or a two-week residency at Gentle House in Port Angeles, Washington, both valued at $1,500. Diane Seuss will judge. Submit a manuscript of 48 to 88 pages with a $30 entry fee by January 31. All entries are considered for publication. 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.
A prize of $5,000 and publication by Southern Indiana Review Press is given annually for a poetry collection. Michael Waters will judge. Submit 40 to 100 pages of poetry (no more than one poem per page) with a $30 entry fee, which includes a subscription to Southern Indiana Review, by February 1. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Three prizes of $2,000 each and publication in swamp pink are given annually for a single poem, a short story, and an essay. Matthew Olzmann will judge in poetry, Jamil Jan Kochai will judge in fiction, and Melissa Faliveno will judge in nonfiction. Works written in English and containing other languages are encouraged. Using only the online submission system, submit up to three poems or a story or essay of up to 25 pages with a $20 entry fee by January 31. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a single poem. Marge Piercy will judge. Submit up to five poems totaling no more than seven pages with a $15 entry fee by January 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
A prize of $1,000 and publication on the WB Yeats Society of NY website is given annually for a single poem. The winner also receives a two-year membership to the organization and is invited to a ceremony in New York City in the spring, as public health guidelines allow. Alan Feldman will judge. Submit a poem of up to 60 lines with a $15 entry fee ($12 for each additional poem) by February 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
A prize of $5,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to give a reading at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond is given annually for a first or second book of poetry published during the previous year. Publishers or writers may submit three copies of a book of at least 48 pages published in 2022, one PDF copy of the book, a cover letter, and a brief author bio by January 15. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
An academic year in residence, which includes a stipend of at least $39,000, at the University of Wisconsin in Madison is given annually to at least five writers working on a first or second book of poetry or fiction. Writers with an MFA or PhD in creative writing who have not published more than one book are eligible. Submit 10 pages of poetry or one story or novel excerpt of up to 30 pages, a curriculum vitae, and contact information for two references with a $50 entry fee by March 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
A prize of $1,000, publication by Tupelo Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a poetry chapbook. Submit a manuscript of 20 to 36 pages with a $25 entry fee by February 28. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
A prize of $1,000 and publication in TulipTree Review is given annually for a single poem, a short story, or an essay “whose main characters embody the Wild Woman spirit.” The winner will also receive a two-year subscription to the literary database Duotrope. Submit a poem, a story, or an essay of up to 10,000 words with a $20 entry fee by March 8. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Syracuse University Press is given biennially in alternating years for either a debut fiction or a debut nonfiction manuscript written by a U.S. veteran, active-duty personnel in any branch of the U.S. military, or the immediate family member of a veteran or active-duty personnel. The 2023 award will be given in nonfiction. Anuradha Bhagwati will judge. Submit a memoir, essay collection, or work of creative nonfiction in manuscript form of up to 90,000 words by February 15. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Up to 20 awards of $5,000 each are given annually to poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers with children. Writers with at least one child under the age of 18 are eligible. Using only the online submission system, submit up to 10 poems totaling no more than 15 pages or between 10 and 15 pages of prose with an artist statement of up to 500 words and a $20 entry fee by February 24. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Two four-month residencies, which include a stipend of $5,000 each, at the Stadler Center for Poetry & Literary Arts at Bucknell University are given annually to writers in any literary genre, including poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, hybrid works, and graphic novels, working on a first or second book. Using only the online submission system, submit up to 20 pages of writing, a curriculum vitae, and three letters of recommendation by February 1. There is no application fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
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.
Two prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Sixfold are given quarterly for a group of poems and a short story. Using only the online submission system, submit up to five poems totaling no more than 10 pages or up to 20 pages of prose with a $5 entry fee by January 24. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
A prize of $1,000 and tuition for a 10-week writing class through New York City’s Gotham Writers Workshop is given annually for a short story. The winning work will be published by Electric Literature and recorded at a Selected Shorts performance. Anthony Doerr will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a story of up to 750 words with a $25 entry fee by March 10. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Schaffner Press is given annually for a poetry collection, a novel, a story collection, an essay collection, or a memoir that “deals in some way with the subject of music and its influence.” Only works written in English, including translations with the original author’s approval, are eligible. Submit a poetry collection of at least 60 pages, a story collection of 50,000 to 80,000 words, or a novel, memoir, or essay collection of 75,000 to 100,000 words with a $25 entry fee by January 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Two prizes of $2,000 each and publication by Sarabande Books are given annually for collections of poetry and fiction. 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 $29 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 $29 entry fee by February 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a single poem. Juan Felipe Herrera will judge. Submit up to three poems of no more than three pages each with a $10 entry fee by March 15. Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope; call; e-mail; or visit the website for complete guidelines.
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Regal House Publishing is given annually for a poetry collection. Submit a manuscript of 48 to 100 pages with a $25 entry fee by January 31. Visit the website for an entry form and complete guidelines.
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Red Hen Press is given annually for a book of fiction or nonfiction by a writer who identifies as a woman. Cai Emmons will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a story or essay collection, a novel, memoir, or other manuscript of prose of 25,000 to 80,000 words with a $25 entry fee by February 28. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Two prizes of $3,000 each and publication by University of Nebraska Press are given annually for a poetry collection and a story collection. Kwame Dawes will judge. Submit a poetry manuscript of at least 50 pages or a fiction manuscript of at least 150 pages with a $25 entry fee between January 15 and March 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Two prizes of $500 each are awarded annually to a poet and a fiction writer from a select state. Each winner will also receive 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, as public health guidelines allow. The 2023 contest is open to residents of Iowa. Poets and fiction writers who have published no more than one full-length book in the genre in which they are applying are eligible. By e-mail only, submit 7 to 10 pages of poetry or up to 25 pages of fiction by March 1. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.
A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a poetry collection published during the previous year. The winner is also invited to read at the organization’s annual Spring Poetry Festival, held at the Richmond Public Library in May. Self-published books and books that have previously received a post-publication award are ineligible. Bill Glose will judge. Submit three copies of a book of at least 64 pages and published in 2022 with a $36 entry fee, which includes a one-year membership to the organization ($25 for Poetry Society of Virginia members), by January 15. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.
A prize of $2,000 is given annually for a poetry collection published in the previous year. The winning poet is expected to participate in an awards ceremony, give a reading, and teach a workshop at the Poetry Center in Paterson, New Jersey. Books of at least 48 pages are eligible. Publishers and authors may submit two copies of books published in 2022 by February 1. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.
A prize of $2,000 and publication in Paterson Literary Review is given annually for a single poem. A second prize of $1,000 and publication in Paterson Literary Review is also given. The winning poets are invited to give a reading at the Poetry Center in Paterson, New Jersey. Submit three copies of up to five poems of no more than two pages each with an $18 entry fee by February 1. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
A prize of $2,000 and publication by Persea Books is given annually for a poetry collection by a U.S. poet who has published at least one book of poetry. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of at least 48 pages with a $30 entry fee between January 1 and March 7. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Twelve 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 will 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 to apply. Using only the online submission system, submit a series of personal statements, a writing sample (no more than 15 pages for prose and 10 pages for poetry), 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.
A prize of $3,000, publication by Omnidawn Publishing, and 20 author copies is given annually for a first or second poetry collection. Sawako Nakayasu will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 40 to 120 pages with a $35 entry fee by February 13. 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.
A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a short story or a self-contained novel excerpt. Judy Goldman will judge. The winning work of fiction will also be considered for publication in Thomas Wolfe Review. Submit a work of prose of up to 3,000 words (two copies if by postal mail) with a $25 entry fee ($15 for NCWN members) by January 30. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
A prize of $1,000 is given annually for an essay “that is outside the realm of conventional journalism and has relevance to North Carolinians.” The winning essay will also be considered for publication in Ecotone. Writers who are legal residents of North Carolina or who are members of the North Carolina Writers’ Network are eligible. Julia Ridley Smith will judge. Submit an essay of up to 2,000 words (two copies if by postal mail) with a $12 entry fee ($10 for NCWN members) by January 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Four prizes of $1,000 each and publication in New Millennium Writings are given twice yearly for a single poem, a short story, a work of flash fiction, and a work of creative nonfiction. Previously unpublished works or works that have either appeared in a journal with a circulation under 5,000 or have been published only online are eligible. The editors will judge. Submit up to three poems totaling no more than five pages, a work of fiction or creative nonfiction of up to 7,499 words, or a work of flash fiction of up to 1,000 words with a $20 entry fee by January 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Around 35 grants of $25,000 each are given annually in alternating years to poets and prose writers to “enable the recipients to set aside time for writing, research, travel, and general career advancement.” Applications in prose will be accepted for 2023. Writers who are citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. and who have published at least five different short stories, works of short fiction, creative essays, or excerpts from larger works; a novel or novella; or a volume or collection of short fiction or creative nonfiction over the last seven years are eligible to apply. Using only the online submission system, submit a completed application, which includes a brief project description, 20 to 25 pages of a prose writing sample, and a list of publications by March 8. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Grants of up to $5,000 each are given in alternating years to Mississippi poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers. This year the fellowships will be offered in creative nonfiction. Applicants must be permanent residents of Mississippi. Students enrolled full-time in a degree-granting program are ineligible. Using only the online submission system, submit 15 to 20 pages of nonfiction written in the past five years, a résumé, a brief biography, and a writer’s statement between February 1 and March 1. There is no application fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
A prize of $1,600 AUD (approximately $1,031) and publication in the Confidence Minds Shine Bright anthology will be given annually for works of poetry or fiction exploring the theme of confidence. Using only the online submission system, submit a single poem of up to 240 lines, a work of flash fiction of up to 1,000 words, or a short story between 1,000 and 5,000 words with an entry fee of $5 AUD (approximately $3) by February 28. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
A prize of $3,000 and online publication in Masters Review is given twice yearly for a short story by an emerging writer. Writers who have not published a book or who have published a book with a circulation of less than 5,000 are eligible. The winning story will also be reviewed by a select group of literary agents, including Victoria Cappello (Bent Agency), Sarah Fuentes (Fletcher & Company), Andrea Morrison (Writers House), Heather Schroder (Compass Talent), and Nat Sobel (Sobel Weber Associates). Using only the online submission system, submit a story of up to 6,000 words with a $20 entry fee by January 31. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
A prize of $1,500 and publication on the competition website is given annually for a short story by a writer whose fiction has not appeared in a nationally distributed publication with a circulation over 5,000. Using only the online submission system, submit a story of up to 3,500 words by March 15. The entry fee is $15 until March 1 and $20 thereafter. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Two prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Rafu Shimpo and on the Discover Nikkei and Little Tokyo Historical Society websites are given annually for short stories that take place in the Little Tokyo district of Los Angeles and “capture the cultural spirit” of the neighborhood. One prize is given for a story written in English; the other is given for a story written in Japanese. Submit a story of up to 2,500 words via e-mail by January 31. 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 novel by an author whose work “demonstrates a commitment to social justice in America and/or the world.” This year the award will be given for a poetry collection. The winner must also participate in a two-week reading tour of Missouri colleges, universities, and libraries. Submit a book of poetry published in 2022 or scheduled to be published in 2023 by March 1. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.
A prize of $10,000 is given annually for a novel-in-progress by a U.S. writer who has not published a novel. The first runner-up will receive $3,000 and the second runner-up will receive $2,000. 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 application fee by March 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Three prizes of $1,500 each and publication in Iowa Review are given annually for works of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Using only the online submission system, submit up to 10 pages of poetry or up to 25 pages of prose with a $20 entry fee by January 31. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Inlandia Books will be given annually for a book of fiction or creative nonfiction by a writer who identifies as Hispanic, Latino/a/x, or Chicana/o/x. Only manuscripts written primarily in English will be considered. Isabel Quintero will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a novel, memoir, essays, stories, and multi-genre or hybrid fiction and nonfiction work between 150 and 300 pages with a $15 entry fee by January 31. Proposals for longer works of up to 500 pages may be submitted with an excerpt, table of contents, and a synopsis. Fee waivers are available. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Sowilo Press is given annually for a first book of fiction by a woman writer over the age of 40. Works translated into English are eligible, but the author must submit. Using only the online submission system, submit a story collection or novel of any length, a synopsis, an outline of the book, a biography, and a résumé with a $20 entry fee by March 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Hidden River Press is given annually for a poetry collection. Works translated into English are eligible, but the author must submit. The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a poetry manuscript of 75 to 100 pages and a synopsis with a $20 entry fee by February 20. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
A prize of $1,500 and publication in Obsidian, the literary journal of Illinois State University, is given annually for a group of poems. The winner also receives a $500 honorarium to give a reading at James Madison University (either virtually or in person, as public health guidelines allow). Poets who have published no more than one collection of poetry are eligible. Evie Shockley will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit three poems exploring Black themes and totaling no more than six pages with a $15 entry fee by February 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
A prize of €1,000 (approximately $1,035) and publication in the Fish Publishing anthology is given annually for a short memoir. The winner is also invited to give a reading at the West Cork Literary Festival in July 2023. Sean Lusk will judge. Submit a memoir of up to 4,000 words with an €18 (approximately $19) entry fee for online entries or €20 (approximately $21) entry fee for postal entries by January 31. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
A prize of €1,000 (approximately $1,035) and publication in the Fish Publishing anthology is given annually for a short short story. The winner is also invited to give a reading at the West Cork Literary Festival in July 2023. Kit de Waal will judge. Submit a story of up to 300 words with a €14 (approximately $14) entry fee for online entries or €16 (approximately $17) for postal entries by February 28. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.