Genre: Fiction

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.

Robert J. DeMott Short Prose Contest

Quarter After Eight
Entry Fee: 
$15
Deadline: 
November 30, 2025

A prize of $1,008.15 and publication in Quarter After Eight is given annually for a prose poem, a short short story, a micro essay, or other work of short prose. Steven Dunn will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit up to three pieces of no more than 500 words, each with a $15 entry fee, by November 30. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

LGBTQIA+ Literary Success Grants

Georgia Writers
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
March 31, 2026
Three grants of $500 each will be given annually to a poet, fiction writer, and nonfiction writer to “amplify the voices of LGBTQIA+ youth in Georgia.” Grantees will also receive a scholarship to attend and give a reading of their work at the Red Clay Conference in April 2026 on the Marietta campus of Kennesaw State University. LGBTQIA+ writers between the ages of 18 and 24 who have not published more than one book and have been residents of Georgia for at least one year, or who are full-time students at a Georgia college or university at the time of application and on the date of the award are eligible. Submit up to 10 pages of poetry or prose and a 500-word statement of purpose by January 15, 2026. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for an application and 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.

Cai Emmons Fiction Award

Red Hen Press
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
January 15, 2026

A prize of $5,000 and publication by Red Hen Press is given annually for a story collection, a novella, a novel, or other book-length work of fiction. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of at least 150 pages with a $25 entry fee by January 15, 2026. 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.

Quill Prose Award

Red Hen Press
Entry Fee: 
$10
Deadline: 
November 30, 2025

A prize of $1,000 and publication by Red Hen Press is given annually for a story or essay collection, a novel, a memoir, or a hybrid work of prose by a queer writer. Andrew Lam will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of at least 150 pages with a $10 entry fee by November 30. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

C. Michael Curtis Short Story Book Prize

Hub City Press
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
December 31, 2025

A prize of $5,000 and publication by Hub City Press is given biennially for a short story collection. Emerging writers who have not published a story collection or more than one book in any other genre and who currently reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, or West Virginia and who have lived there for at least two consecutive years are eligible. Catherine Lacey will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 140 to 220 pages (no story should exceed 15,000 words) with a $25 entry fee by December 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

W.S. Porter Prize for Short Story Collections

Regal House Publishing
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
December 1, 2025

A prize of $1,000 and publication by Regal House Publishing is given annually for a story collection. Heather Bell Adams will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 100 to 350 pages with a $25 entry fee by December 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Lascaux Prize in Short Fiction

Lascaux Review
Entry Fee: 
$15
Deadline: 
December 31, 2025

A prize of $1,000 and publication in Lascaux Review is given annually for a short story. Previously published and unpublished stories are eligible. The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a story of up to 10,000 words with a $15 entry fee by December 31. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

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