Genre: Creative Nonfiction

Waterston Desert Writing Prize

High Desert Museum
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
May 1, 2026
A prize of $3,000 is given annually for a work of nonfiction that recognizes “the vital role deserts play worldwide in the ecosystem and the human narrative.” The winner is also provided with travel and lodging to attend a reception and award ceremony at the High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon, in September. Works-in-progress as well as published or unpublished prose are accepted. Using only the online submission system, submit up to 10 pages of nonfiction, a brief bio, and a one-page project description by May 1. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Narrative Prize

Narrative
Entry Fee: 
$27
Deadline: 
April 30, 2026
An award of $5,000 is given annually for a poem, short story, novel excerpt, or work of creative nonfiction by an emerging writer. Previously unpublished work and work published in Narrative during the year are eligible. The editors will judge. All entries are considered for publication. Using only the online submission system, submit up to five poems or between 2,000 and 15,000 words of prose with a $27 entry fee by April 30. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Winter Story Contest

Narrative
Entry Fee: 
$27
Deadline: 
March 31, 2026
A prize of $2,500 and publication in Narrative is given annually for a short story, a work of flash fiction, an essay, a memoir, or an excerpt from a longer work of fiction or creative nonfiction. 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 March 31. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Literary Prizes

New Ohio Review
Entry Fee: 
$22
Deadline: 
April 15, 2026
Three prizes of $1,500 each and publication in New Ohio Review are given annually for a poem or group of poems, a short story, and an essay. Submit a poem or group of poems of up to six pages or a story or essay of up to 20 pages with a $22 entry fee, which includes a subscription to New Ohio Review, by April 15. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Nonfiction Prize

Autumn House Press
Entry Fee: 
$35
Deadline: 
April 30, 2026
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Autumn House Press is given annually for a book of creative nonfiction. The winner also receives a $1,500 travel and publicity grant. Ira Sukrungruang will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 150 to 300 pages of prose with a $35 entry fee by April 30. A limited number of fee waivers, based on financial need, are available upon request. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Terry Tempest Williams Creative Nonfiction Prize

North American Review
Entry Fee: 
$23
Deadline: 
April 1, 2026
A prize of $1,000 and publication in North American Review is given annually for an essay. Lyric essays, memoir-style essays, literary journalism, and other creative nonfiction forms are eligible. Jessica Hendry Nelson will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit an essay of 500 to 10,000 words with a $23 entry fee, which includes an issue of North American Review, by April 1. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Chapbook Contest

DIAGRAM/New Michigan Press
Entry Fee: 
$28
Deadline: 
April 30, 2026
A prize of $1,000, publication by New Michigan Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a chapbook of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or hybrid-genre work. Ander Monson will judge. Submit a manuscript of 18 to 44 pages with a $28 entry fee by April 30. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Emerging Writers’ Contest

Ploughshares
Entry Fee: 
$30
Deadline: 
March 31, 2026
Three prizes of $2,000 each and publication in Ploughshares are given annually for a poem or group of poems, a short story, and an essay. Each winner also receives a consultation with the literary agency Aevitas Creative Management. Writers who have not published a book or a chapbook with a print run of over 350 copies are eligible. Using only the online submission system, submit three to five pages of poetry or up to 6,500 words of prose with a $30 entry fee (there is no entry fee for current subscribers), which includes a subscription to Ploughshares, by March 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Breakout! Prize

Epiphany
Entry Fee: 
$10
Deadline: 
April 15, 2026
Two prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Epiphany are given annually for a poem or a group of poems and a short work of fiction or nonfiction. Using only the online submission system, submit up to five poems of any length or up to 5,000 words of a short story, novel excerpt, or essay with a $10 entry fee by April 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Paul Engle Prize

Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
March 15, 2026
A prize of $25,000 is given annually to a writer “who, like Paul Engle, represents a pioneering spirit in the world of literature through writing, editing, publishing, or teaching, and whose active participation in the larger issues of the day has contributed to the betterment of the world through the literary arts.” Poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers are eligible. Submit a nomination, including the writer’s curriculum vitae, the writer’s contact information, and a statement about how the writer embodies the spirit of the prize by March 15. Self-nominations are not accepted. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

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