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:
Award Series
Association of Writers & Writing Programs
Entry Fee:
$30
Deadline:
February 28, 2026
Three prizes of $5,500 each and publication by a participating press are given annually for a poetry collection, a short story collection, and a novel. A prize of $2,500 and publication by a participating press is also given annually for an essay collection or a memoir. For the Donald Hall Prize for Poetry, submit a manuscript of at least 48 pages. For the Grace Paley Prize for Short Fiction, submit a manuscript of 150 to 300 pages. For the James Alan McPherson Prize for the Novel, submit a manuscript of 60,000 to 110,000 words. For the Sue William Silverman Prize for Creative Nonfiction, submit a manuscript of 150 to 300 pages. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript with a $30 entry fee ($20 for AWP members) by February 28. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
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Individual Artist Grants for Women
Money for Women/Barbara Deming Memorial Fund
Entry Fee:
$25
Deadline:
January 31, 2026
Grants of up to $2,000 each are given in alternating years to feminist poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers who are citizens of the United States or Canada. This year, grants will be awarded to fiction writers. Using only the online submission system, submit 10 to 15 pages of prose, a statement regarding interest in receiving support from a feminist fund, a project description, a budget, and a résumé with a $25 entry fee between January 1 and January 31. A limited number of fee waivers are available upon request. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Charles S. Longcope Jr. Writers and Artists Grant
Gay & Lesbian Review
Entry Fee:
$0
Deadline:
February 15, 2026
Up to three grants of up to $5,000 each and publication of an article in the Gay & Lesbian Review will be given annually for projects with a primary focus on “LGBTQ+ identity, experiences, or history” by emerging poets and prose writers. Submit a 100-word project summary, a project description, a description of the proposed article, a résumé, a budget and budget narrative, an anticipated timeline, and a list of other funding sources for the project via e-mail by February 15. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Balcones Prizes
Austin Community College
Entry Fee:
$25
Deadline:
January 31, 2026
Three prizes of $1,500 each are given annually for a poetry collection, a book of fiction, and a book of creative nonfiction published during the previous year. Authors or publishers may submit three copies of a book published in 2025 (poetry collections must be at least 42 pages in length) by January 31. The entry fee is $25 for poetry and $30 for fiction and creative nonfiction. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.
Nimrod Literary Awards
Nimrod International Journal
Entry Fee:
$25
Deadline:
January 31, 2026
Two prizes of $2,000 each and publication in Nimrod International Journal are given annually for a poem or group of poems and a work of fiction. A runner-up in each category receives $1,000 and publication. The winners are also invited to participate in a virtual awards ceremony in the fall. Submit three to eight pages of poetry or a story or novel excerpt of up to 5,000 words with a $25 entry fee, which includes a subscription to Nimrod International Journal, by January 31. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
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Literary Artist Fellowships
Mississippi Arts Commission
Entry Fee:
$0
Deadline:
March 1, 2026
Fellowships of up to $5,000 each are given in alternating years to Mississippi poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers. This year the fellowships will be offered in poetry and fiction. Applicants must be permanent residents of Mississippi. Students enrolled full-time in a degree-granting program are ineligible. Using only the online submission system, submit 5 to 10 pages of poetry or 15 to 20 pages of prose written in the past five years, a résumé, a brief bio, a writer’s statement, and a fellowship impact statement by March 1. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
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Fiction Prize
Autumn House Press
Entry Fee:
$35
Deadline:
February 28, 2026
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Autumn House Press is given annually for a book of fiction. The winner also receives a $1,500 travel and publicity grant. Amber Sparks will judge. All finalists are also considered for publication. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 150 to 300 pages of prose with a $35 entry fee by February 28. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize
North Carolina Writers’ Network
Entry Fee:
$25
Deadline:
January 30, 2026
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Thomas Wolfe Review is given annually for a short story or a self-contained novel excerpt. Karen Tucker will judge. Submit a work of prose of up to 3,000 words (two copies if submitting by postal mail) with a $25 entry fee ($15 for NCWN members) by January 30. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
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