Genre: Creative Nonfiction

Desert Writers Award

Ellen Meloy Fund
Entry Fee: 
$15
Deadline: 
January 15, 2026

A prize of $5,000 is given annually to enable a creative nonfiction writer “whose work reflects the spirit and passions for the desert embodied in Ellen Meloy’s writing” to spend creative time in a desert environment. Using only the online submission system, submit up to 10 pages of creative nonfiction, a project proposal, and a biographical statement of up to one page with a $15 entry fee by January 15, 2026. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.

100-Word Writing Contest

Tadpole Press
Entry Fee: 
$15
Deadline: 
November 30, 2025

A prize of $1,000 and publication on the Tadpole Press website and in Tadpole Press Literary Magazine is given biannually for a work of flash poetry or prose. Angeline Boulley will judge. Submit a work of poetry, fiction, or nonfiction of no more than 100 words with a $15 entry fee by November 30. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.

Translation Prize

French-American Foundation
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
January 12, 2026

Two prizes of $10,000 each are given annually for translations from French into English of a book of fiction and a book of nonfiction (including creative nonfiction) published in the United States during the current year. A jury of translators and literary professionals will judge. Authors, translators, agents, and publishers may submit six excerpts (three from the original French and three matching selections from the English translation) of approximately six pages each from a book published in 2025 by January 12, 2026. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Writing Contest

Winter Anthology
Entry Fee: 
$11
Deadline: 
January 10, 2026

A prize of $1,000 and publication in Winter Anthology is given annually for a group of poems, a short story, a novel excerpt, or an essay. Using only the online submission system, submit up to 100 pages of poetry or prose with an $11 entry fee by January 10, 2026. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Literature Awards

Friends of American Writers
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
December 13, 2025

A prize of around $2,500 is given annually for a book of fiction or creative nonfiction published during the current year that is set in the Midwest or by a writer who is a resident of the Midwest (or who previously resided in the region for at least five years). The prize may be split if more than one winner is selected. Writers who have published up to three books are eligible. Self-published books are not accepted. Authors or publishers may submit two copies of books published in 2025 with an author bio by December 13. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Jeanne Leiby Memorial Chapbook Award

Florida Review
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
January 7, 2026

A prize of $1,000, publication by the Florida Review, and 50 author copies is given annually for a chapbook of short fiction, short nonfiction, or graphic narrative. Submit a manuscript of up to 45 pages with a $25 entry fee by January 7, 2026. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Prose Prize

Georgia Review
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
January 15, 2026

A prize of $1,500 and publication in Georgia Review is given annually for a short story or an essay. Kiese Laymon will judge. Submit a story or essay of up to 9,000 words with a $25 entry fee by January 15, 2026; mailed submissions must include a cover page with contact information and a brief bio, a self-addressed envelope, and a check for entry-fee payment. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Leon Levy Biography Fellowships

Leon Levy Center for Biography
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
January 4, 2026

Four yearlong fellowships of $72,000 each, writing space at the CUNY Graduate Center in New York City, access to research facilities, and research assistance from a graduate student are given annually to nonfiction writers working on biographies. An additional Sloan Fellowship of the same amount is given annually to a writer working on a biography of a figure in the field of science or technology. Using only the online submission system, submit a sample of up to 2,500 words from the biography, a curriculum vitae, a project description, a narrative career history, and two letters of reference by January 4, 2026. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Stephen Mitchell Translation Prize

Green Linden Press
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
November 30, 2025

A prize of $1,000 and publication by Green Linden Press is given annually for a book of poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction translated from any language into English. Christopher Nelson will judge. Submit a manuscript of at least 48 pages with a $25 entry fee by November 30. All finalists will be considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Memoir Prize

Narratively
Entry Fee: 
$20
Deadline: 
December 7, 2025
A prize of $3,000 and publication on Narratively’s storytelling platform is given annually for a short work of memoir written in the first person. Two runners-up prizes of $1,000 each and publication will also be awarded. The winner and two runners-up will also be included in a special digital collection. Using only the online submission system, submit an essay of 2,000 to 5,000 words with a $20 entry fee by December 7. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

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