Genre: Poetry

St. Lawrence Book Award

Black Lawrence Press
Entry Fee: 
$30
Deadline: 
August 31, 2026
A prize of $1,000, publication by Black Lawrence Press, and 10 author copies is given annually for a debut collection of poems, short stories, or essays. The editors and a panel of previous winners will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a poetry manuscript of 45 to 95 pages or a prose manuscript of 120 to 280 pages with a $30 entry fee by August 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Narrative Poetry Contest

Naugatuck River Review
Entry Fee: 
$20
Deadline: 
September 1, 2026
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Naugatuck River Review is given annually for a narrative poem. Mary Beth Hines will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit up to three poems of no more than 50 lines each with a $20 entry fee by September 1. 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.

Poetry Open Book Contest

Omnidawn Publishing
Entry Fee: 
$30
Deadline: 
August 16, 2026
A prize of $3,000, publication by Omnidawn Publishing, and 20 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. Julie Carr will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 40 to 100 pages with a $30 entry fee by August 16. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Experimental Poetry Award

Connecticut Poetry Society
Entry Fee: 
$15
Deadline: 
July 31, 2026
A prize of $1,000 and publication on the Connecticut Poetry Society website is given annually for an innovative poem. Using only the online submission system, submit up to three poems of no more than 80 lines each composed using a new form, an existing experimental form, or a radical subversion of a traditional form with a $15 entry fee by July 31 at 6 PM EDT. Audio and video recordings are also eligible. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Bob Hicok Poetry Fellowship

Only Poems
Entry Fee: 
$22
Deadline: 
August 31, 2026
A prize of $1,000, publication in Only Poems, and $1,000 in Only Poems workshop credits will be given annually for a portfolio of poems. The winner also receives a one-on-one conversation with Bob Hicok, an invitation to write for Only Poem’s blog, a post-fellowship interview, and a lifetime membership to Only Poems. Using only the online submission system, submit 5 to 10 pages of poetry with a $22 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

Oxford Poetry Prize

Oxford Poetry
Entry Fee: 
$14
Deadline: 
August 31, 2026
A prize of £2,000 (approximately $2,702) and publication in Oxford Poetry is given annually for a single poem. A second-place prize of £1,000 (approximately $1,351) is also awarded. Using only the online submission system, submit a poem of up to 60 lines with a £10 (approximately $14) entry fee by August 31. A limited number of fee waivers are available based on financial need. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

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.

Award for Poetry

Press 53
Entry Fee: 
$30
Deadline: 
July 31, 2026
A prize of $1,000, publication by Press 53, and 53 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. Tom Lombardo will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 50 to 120 pages with a $30 entry fee by July 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

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