Genre: Fiction

Short Fiction Awards

University of Iowa Press
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
August 31, 2026
Two prizes of publication by University of Iowa Press are given annually for debut collections of short fiction. Submit a manuscript of at least 150 pages by August 31. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Writing Contest

Black Warrior Review
Entry Fee: 
$20
Deadline: 
August 1, 2026
Three prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Black Warrior Review are given annually for a poem, a short story, and an essay. Using only the online submission system, submit up to five poems of any length or prose of up to 6,000 words with a $20 entry fee by August 1. Financial assistance is available upon request. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Lab Prize

University of New Orleans Press
Entry Fee: 
$28
Deadline: 
August 31, 2026
A prize of $10,000 and publication by University of New Orleans Press is given annually for a short story collection or novel. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of any length with a $28 entry fee by August 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Individual Artist Fellowships

Delaware Division of the Arts
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
August 3, 2026
Established Professional Fellowships of $8,000 each and Emerging Professional Fellowships of $5,000 each are given annually to poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers who have lived in Delaware for at least one year and will remain Delaware residents during the grant period. Using only the online submission system, submit 15 to 20 pages of poetry or prose, a résumé, and an artist’s statement by August 3. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Tags: 
creative nonfiction | fiction | poetry | grants

Drue Heinz Literature Prize

University of Pittsburgh Press
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
July 31, 2026
A prize of $25,000 and publication by University of Pittsburgh Press is given annually for a collection of short fiction. Writers who have published at least one previous book of fiction or a minimum of three short stories or novellas in nationally-distributed magazines or literary journals are eligible. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 150 to 300 pages with a $25 entry fee by July 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Tags: 
short stories | book awards

Literary Awards

Dogwood
Entry Fee: 
$10
Deadline: 
September 5, 2026
Three prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Dogwood are given annually for a poem, a short story, and an essay. Using only the online submission system, submit up to three poems totaling no more than 10 pages or up to 22 pages of prose with a $10 entry fee by September 5. Writers who are incarcerated may submit to the contest free of charge via postal mail or the Dogwood website. All submissions are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Other Futures Award

Futurepoem
Entry Fee: 
$28
Deadline: 
August 15, 2026
A prize of $1,000, publication by Futurepoem, and 25 author copies is given annually for a book of innovative poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or hybrid work “that challenges conventions of genre and language, content and form.” The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of up to 200 pages with a $28 entry fee (or a sliding-scale fee of $9 or $18 based on financial need) from July 15 to August 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Flash Fiction Contest

Gemini Magazine
Entry Fee: 
$8
Deadline: 
August 31, 2026
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Gemini Magazine is given annually for a work of flash fiction. The editors will judge. Submit a story of up to 1,000 words with an $8 entry fee by August 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Tags: 
short-shorts

Short Story Award

Gival Press
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
August 8, 2026
A prize of $1,000 and publication on the Gival Press website is given annually for a short story. Submit a story of 5,000 to 15,000 words with a $25 entry fee by August 8. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Tags: 
short stories

Granum Foundation Prizes

Granum Foundation
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
August 1, 2026
A prize of $5,000 is given annually to a poet, fiction writer, or creative nonfiction writer to support the completion of a manuscript-in-progress. Up to three finalists are awarded at least $500 each. A Translation Prize of at least $1,500 is also given. Using only the online submission system, submit 12 poems or a prose sample of up to 25 pages by August 1. The contest will close once 1,000 entries are received. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.

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