Contests and Prizes for Poets
PLEASE ALSO SEE THE ALERTS/BEWARES PAGE FOR LINKS TO KNOWN POETRY CONTEST AND ANTHOLOGY SCAMS
If a poetry "contest" tells you that you are a "winner" but you will need to purchase an anthology after your "win," chances are very good that IT IS A SCAM.
If a poetry "contest" tells you that you are a "winner" but you will need to purchase an anthology after your "win," chances are very good that IT IS A SCAM.
The Writing Contests, Grants & Awards database includes details about the creative writing contests—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, and more—that we’ve published in Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year. We carefully review the practices and policies of each contest before including it. Ours is the most trusted resource for legitimate writing contests available anywhere.
New Women's Voices Chapbook Competition - Winner receives a cash prize of $1,000, print publication, copies, and Kindle publication (Kindle publication includes a standard royalty contract.) Open to women who have never before published a full-length poetry collection. Previous chapbook publication does not disqualify. International entries are welcome. Multiple submissions are accepted.
DASH Journal welcomes submissions to its first annual poetry contest. Winner receives $1,000 prize for best poem. Send up to 3 unpublished poems per entry (max 33 lines each). DASH Literary Journal is based out of California State University, Fullerton’s (CSUF) English Department.
James J. Nicholson Political Poetry Prize - Pelham Public Library is accepting entries for its annual James J. Nicholson Political Poetry Prize competition. The competition, now in its sixth year, consists of three categories: one each for Pelham Memorial High School students and Pelham Middle School students and one for adults over the age of 18 who reside in Westchester County. Individuals fitting these categories are invited to enter the contest. The winner of the adult competition will receive a cash prize of $500. The winner of the high school competition will receive a cash prize of $150, and a cash prize of $100 will be awarded to the winner of the middle school competition.
The William Kloefkorn Award for Excellence in Poetry - One winner receives $500 and publication in PADDLEFISH. Submission fee $12 (for two poems). All poets submitting to the contest receive a copy of the forthcoming journal. All submissions will also be considered for the forthcoming issue of PADDLEFISH. The contest is judged by PADDLEFISHeditor-in-chief Jim Reese and associate editor Dana DeWitt. All contest entrants can submit up to two poems for consideration each year. Each poem should not exceed two pages single-spaced. NO previously published work. NO simultaneous submissions.
Phyllis Smart Young Prize in Poetry Size limit: 15 page max The finest triad of poems are awarded $1,000 and publication in the fall issue of The Madison Review!
Snowbound Chapbook Award - includes a cash award of $1,000 and 25 copies of the book, in addition to publication by Tupelo Press, a book launch, and national distribution with energetic publicity and promotion. Manuscripts are judged anonymously. All finalists will also be considered for publication. This competition is open to any poet writing in English. Previously published poems with proper acknowledgment are acceptable. Translations are not eligible, nor are previously self-published books. Employees of Tupelo Press and authors previously published by Tupelo Press are not eligible.Manuscript Requirements:Submit 20 to 36 pages (of poems) plus SASE and a $23 reading fee.
The Kundiman Poetry Prize is dedicated to publishing exceptional work by Asian American poets. Winner receives $1,000, book publication with Alice James Books and a New York City feature reading.
The Lexi Rudnitsky/Editor's Choice Award is an annual collaboration between Persea Books and The Lexi Rudnitsky Poetry Project. It is open to any American poet who has previously published at least one full-length book of poems. The winner receives an advance of $1,000.00, publication of his/her collection by Persea, and the option of an all-expenses-paid residency at the Anderson Center, a renowned artists' colony in Red Wing, Minnesota.
42 Miles Press Poetry Award - The prize will be offered annually to any poet writing in English, including poets who have never published a full length book as well as poets who have published several. New and Selected collections of poems are also welcome. The winning poet will receive $1,000 and publication of his or her book. The winner will also be invited to give a reading at Indiana University South Bend as part of the release of the book.
W@W Fellowship Competition - for emerging writers in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. First Prize: $1,000, publication in Quarterly West, tuition for the 2012 conference and a manuscript consultation during the conference with one of the visiting editors or agents.Two Honorable Mentions: $250. Eligibility: Any writer who has not yet published a book-length volume of original work in the genre in which they submit a manuscript. Unpublished work only. Work appearing in online journals is considered published. Work on personal websites or blogs is considered unpublished.
Sawtooth Poetry Prize - $1,500 for a book of poems - The winning volume will be published in January 2014 by Ahsahta Press.
St. Petersburg Review Poetry Contest - Prize: $1000 and publication in St. Petersburg Review All writers not associated with the editors of St. Petersburg Review may enter.
Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award - This competition is open to African American poets only. If you have already had a book published by Lotus Press, you are ineligible. However, inclusion in a Lotus Press anthology does not disqualify you. Any other serious African American poet, whether previously published or not, may submit a book-length manuscript for consideration. Do not include essays, short fiction, or other material that is not poetry.
The Pinch Literary Awards in Fiction, Poetry, and Creative Nonfiction - Fiction First Prize: $1,000.00. Poetry First Prize: $1,000.00. Creative Nonfiction First Prize: $1,000.00 Only unpublished work will be considered. Simultaneous submissions are welcome, but notify us immediately if work is accepted elsewhere.
Annual Slope Editions Book Prize - $1000.00 plus book publication - The winning poet will have his/her book of poems published in 2014 or 2015 by Slope Editions. She or he will receive $1000 and free copies of the book in lieu of royalties. Eligibility: Any American poet writing in English is eligible, unless that person has a close personal or professional relationship with the judge and/or Slope Editions staff. Past or current students of the judge are ineligible to enter; entry fees will be returned in these cases. Any manuscript that has appeared or is forthcoming as a printed book, e-book, or chapbook will NOT be considered.
Tor House Prize for Poetry - The annual Tor House Prize for Poetry is a living memorial to American poet Robinson Jeffers (1887-1962). Prize: $1,000 for an original, unpublished poem not to exceed three pages in length. $200 for Honorable Mention.
Gulf Coast Prizes in Poetry, Fiction, and Nonfiction - The contest awards $1,500 and publication to the winner in each genre, as well as $250 to two honorable mentions in each genre.
Normal Prize in Fiction, Non-Fiction and Poetry - Fiction Prize: $1000 & Publication - - Nonfiction Prize: $1000 & Publication - Poetry Prize: $1000 & Publication
Indiana Review's Poetry Prize - $1,000 Honorarium and Publication
Ploughshares Emerging Writer's Contest - open to writers of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry who have yet to publish a book. The winner in each genre will be awarded $1,000.
The Anglican Theological Review Poetry Prize - The winning poet will receive $500. - open to emerging poets: that is, poets who have not yet published a full-length book of poetry or any other genre of literature. Poets whose work has appeared in chapbook form and/or in journals are eligible.Contestants should submit one unpublished poem, in any form, but not to exceed 64 lines. There is no specific theme, although writers who are familiar with the poetry published in theATR will see a preference for work that reflects an incarnate sense of the sacred.
The Debut-litzer Award - Late Night Library, the all-hours home of debut books, announces The Debut-litzer Award for creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. The winners will be selected by judges in each genre: Paul Collins (nonfiction), Leslie Jamison (fiction), and Traci Brimhall (poetry). In addition to a $1,000 cash prize, each winner will be featured on Late Night Conversation and each book will be featured on Late Night Debut.
The BLR Prizes award outstanding writing related to themes of health, healing, illness, the mind, and the body. First prize is $1000 (in each genre) and publication in the Spring 2014 issue of BLR. Honorable mention winners will receive $250 and publication in the Spring 2014 issue of BLR.