Genre: Fiction

First Novel Fellowship

James Jones Literary Society
Entry Fee: 
$33
Deadline: 
March 15, 2026

A fellowship of $12,000 is given annually for a novel-in-progress that honors “the spirit of unblinking honesty, determination, and insight into modern culture as exemplified by (the writings of) James Jones.” The first runner-up receives $3,000 and the second runner-up receives $2,000. U.S. writers who have not published a novel are eligible. Using only the online submission system, submit the first 50 pages of a novel-in-progress and a synopsis of up to two pages with a $33 entry fee by March 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Tags: 
novel | short stories

Writing Prizes

swamp pink
Entry Fee: 
$20
Deadline: 
January 31, 2026

Three prizes of $2,000 each and publication in swamp pink are given annually for a single poem, a short story, and an essay. Using only the online submission system, submit up to three poems or a story or essay of up to 25 pages with a $20 entry fee by January 31. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

American Short(er) Fiction Prize

American Short Fiction
Entry Fee: 
$18
Deadline: 
February 1, 2026

A prize of $1,000 and publication in American Short Fiction is given annually for a work of flash fiction. Using only the online submission system, submit up to two stories of no more than 1,500 words each with an $18 entry fee by February 1. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest

Little Tokyo Historical Society
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
February 28, 2026

Two prizes of $500 each and publication in Rafu Shimpo and on the Discover Nikkei and Little Tokyo Historical Society websites are given annually for short stories that take place in the Little Tokyo district of Los Angeles and that convey “the spirit and essence” of the neighborhood. One prize is given for a story written in English; the other is given for a story written in Japanese. Submit an English-language story of up to 2,500 words or a Japanese-language story of up to 5,000 ji via e-mail by February 28. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Wild Women Story Contest

TulipTree Publishing
Entry Fee: 
$20
Deadline: 
March 8, 2026

A prize of $1,000 and publication in TulipTree Review is given annually for a single poem, a short story, or an essay “whose main characters embody the Wild Woman spirit.” Submit up to five pages of poetry or up to 10,000 words of prose with a $20 entry fee by March 8. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Wisconsin Writers Awards

Arts + Literature Laboratory
Entry Fee: 
$30
Deadline: 
January 15, 2026

Three prizes of $1,000 each and a five-day stay at Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, are given annually for a poetry collection, a book of fiction, and a book of creative nonfiction published in the previous year. Writers who are residents of Wisconsin or who have previously resided in Wisconsin for at least five years are eligible. For the Edna Meudt Poetry Book Award, submit an application form and two copies of a book of at least 48 pages published in 2025 with a $30 entry fee ($20 for Arts + Literature Laboratory members) by January 15. For the Edna Ferber Fiction Book Award and the Norbert Blei/August Derleth Nonfiction Book Award, submit an application form and two copies of a book of any length published in 2025 with a $30 entry fee ($20 for Arts + Literature Laboratory members) by January 15. All poetry and prose books must be received by January 20. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Short Story Award for New Writers

Masters Review
Entry Fee: 
$20
Deadline: 
February 1, 2026

A prize of $3,000 and online publication in Masters Review is given biannually for a short story by an emerging writer. Writers who have not published a book, have self-published, or have published a book with an independent press are eligible. The winning story is also reviewed by a select group of literary agents, including Victoria Cappello (Bent Agency), Sarah Fuentes (United Talent Agency), Andrea Morrison (Writers House), Heather Schroder (Compass Literary), Nat Sobel (Sobel Weber Associates), and Marin Takikawa (Friedrich Agency). Using only the online submission system, submit a story of up to 6,000 words with a $20 entry fee by February 1. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Nicholas Schaffner Award for Music in Literature

Schaffner Press
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
January 31, 2026

A prize of $1,000 and publication by Schaffner Press is given annually for a poetry collection, a novel, a story collection, an essay collection, or a memoir that “deals in some way with the subject of music (of any genre and period) and its influence.” Submit a poetry collection of at least 60 pages or a prose manuscript of 75,000 to 100,000 words with a $25 entry fee by January 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

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.

Tags: 
novel | short stories | book awards

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.

Tags: 
grants

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