Caine Prize for African Writing
Caine Prize for African Writing
Entry Fee:
$0
Deadline:
February 27, 2026
A prize of £10,000 (approximately $13,323) is given annually for a previously published short story by a writer of African descent.
Genre: Fiction
Bryan Washington: Palaver
Caption:
In this episode of Poured Over: The Barnes & Noble Podcast hosted by Miwa Messer, Bryan Washington speaks about how his experiences in Tokyo and Osaka informed his latest novel, Palaver (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2025), and how third-person narratives reflect the estrangement of being in a different country.
Genre:
Frances “Frank” Rollin Fellowship
Biographers International Organization
Entry Fee:
$0
Deadline:
February 1, 2026
Two fellowships of $5,000 each are given annually to writers working on a book-length biography of an African American figure (or figures) “whose story provides a significant contribution to our understanding of the Black experience.” The winners also receive publicity through the Biographers International Organization (BIO) website and the Biographer’s Craft newsletter, registration to the annual BIO Conference in May, and a one-year BIO membership. Using only the online submission system, submit a writing sample of up to 20 pages, a project description, a statement of need, and an author bio by February 1. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.
Pinch Literary Award in Fiction
Pinch
Entry Fee:
$28
Deadline:
February 28, 2026
An award of $2,000, publication in Pinch, and two contributor copies will be given annually for a short story. Using only the online submission system, submit a story of up to 4,000 words with a $28 entry fee by February 28. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Hazel Rowley Prize
Biographers International Organization
Entry Fee:
$25
Deadline:
March 1, 2026
A prize of $5,000 is given annually for a work-in-progress by a debut biographer. The winner also receives a review of their manuscript proposal by an agent, publicity through the Biographers International Organization (BIO) website and the Biographer’s Craft newsletter, registration to the annual BIO Conference in May, and a one-year BIO membership. Writers who have not previously published or who are not under contract to write a book of biography, history, or other work of narrative nonfiction are eligible. Using only the online submission system, submit a writing sample, a manuscript proposal, and a résumé in one document totaling no more than 20 pages with a $25 entry fee by March 1. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.
Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award
Poets & Writers, Inc.
Entry Fee:
$0
Deadline:
March 1, 2026
Two prizes of $750 each are given annually to a poet and a fiction writer residing in the United States. Both winners also receive a monthlong residency at Jentel Artist Residency in Wyoming and will meet with writers, editors, publishers, and agents virtually or in person in New York City. The 2026 contest is open to residents of Connecticut. Poets and fiction writers who have published no more than one full-length book in the genre in which they are applying are eligible. Submit 7 to 10 pages of poetry or up to 25 pages of fiction via e-mail by March 1. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.
Self-Publishing Literary Awards
Black Caucus of the American Library Association
Entry Fee:
$0
Deadline:
February 28, 2026
Two prizes of $2,500 each are given annually for a poetry e-book and a fiction e-book self-published by an African American writer during the previous year. The awards honor books that depict “cultural, historical, and sociopolitical aspects of the Black Diaspora.” Using only the online submission system, submit an e-book self-published in 2025 by February 28. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Jan Garton Prairie Heritage Book Award
Prairie Heritage, Inc.
Entry Fee:
$0
Deadline:
January 31, 2026
A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a published poetry collection, book of fiction, or book of creative nonfiction that “illuminates the heritage of North America’s mid-continental prairies.” Authors, publishers, and the general public may submit two copies of a book by January 31. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Big Moose Prize
Black Lawrence Press
Entry Fee:
$30
Deadline:
January 31, 2026
A prize of $1,000, publication by Black Lawrence Press, and 10 author copies is given annually for a novel. The contest is open to traditional novels as well as “novels-in-stories, novels-in-poems, and other hybrid forms that contain within them the spirit of a novel.” The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 90 to 1,000 pages with a $30 entry fee by January 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Tags:
Raz-Shumaker Book Prizes
Prairie Schooner
Entry Fee:
$25
Deadline:
March 15, 2026
Two prizes of $3,000 each and publication by University of Nebraska Press are given annually for a poetry collection and a story collection. Submit a poetry manuscript of at least 50 pages or a fiction manuscript of at least 150 pages with a $25 entry fee by March 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
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