Genre: Poetry

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.

Literary Arts Fellowships

Alabama State Council on the Arts
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
March 2, 2026

At least two fellowships of $5,000 each are given annually to poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers who are legal residents of Alabama and have lived in the state for a minimum of two years. Using only the online submission system, submit up to 20 pages of poetry or prose and a résumé including a list of publications by March 2 at 5 PM CDT. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Allen Ginsberg Poetry Awards

Poetry Center at Passaic County Community College
Entry Fee: 
$20
Deadline: 
February 1, 2026

A prize of $2,000 and publication in Paterson Literary Review is given annually for a single poem. A second-place prize of $1,000 and publication is also given. The winning poets are invited to give a reading at the Poetry Center in Paterson, New Jersey. Using only the online submission system, submit three copies of up to five poems of no more than two pages each with a $20 entry fee by February 1. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Snowbound Chapbook Award

Tupelo Press
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
February 28, 2026

A prize of $1,000, publication by Tupelo Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a poetry chapbook. Richie Hoffman will judge. Submit a manuscript of 20 to 36 pages with a $25 entry fee by February 28. 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.

Paterson Poetry Prize

Poetry Center at Passaic County Community College
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
February 1, 2026

A prize of $2,000 is given annually for a poetry collection published in the previous year. The winning poet is expected to participate in an awards ceremony, give a reading, and teach a workshop at the Poetry Center in Paterson, New Jersey. Publishers and authors may submit two copies of books of at least 48 pages published in 2025 with a $25 entry fee by February 1. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.

Levis Reading Prize

Virginia Commonwealth University
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
January 15, 2026

A prize of $5,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to give a reading at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond is given annually for a first or second book of poetry published during the previous year. Publishers or writers may submit three copies of a book of at least 48 pages published in 2025, one PDF copy of the book, a cover letter, and a brief author bio by January 15. There is no entry fee. 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.

Pegasus Poetry Book Prize

Poetry Foundation
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
February 2, 2026

An award of $10,000 and publication by Graywolf Press will be given triennially for a poetry collection by a U.S. poet who is 40 years old or older. Poets who have published no more than one poetry collection are eligible. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 48 to 80 pages and an application by February 2. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for the required application form, which can be accessed via Poetry Foundation’s online portal (applicants must register for portal access by January 26), and complete guidelines.

Yeats Poetry Prize

WB Yeats Society of NY
Entry Fee: 
$15
Deadline: 
February 1, 2026

A prize of $1,000 and publication on the WB Yeats Society of NY website is given annually for a single poem. The winner also receives a two-year membership to the organization and is invited to a ceremony in New York City. Joseph O. Legaspi will judge. Submit a poem of up to 60 lines with a $15 entry fee ($12 for each additional poem) by February 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

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