Genre: Poetry

Amity Literary Prize

Anamcara Press
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
December 31, 2025

A prize of $1,000, publication by Anamcara Press, and 50 author copies will be given annually for a poetry collection, story collection, essay collection, novel, or memoir. Using only the online submission system, submit a poetry manuscript of 60 to 120 pages, a fiction manuscript of at least 70,000 words, or a nonfiction manuscript of 80,000 to 100,000 words (plus a summary of 500 to 750 words) with a $25 entry fee by December 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Stephen Mitchell Translation Prize

Green Linden Press
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
November 30, 2025

A prize of $1,000 and publication by Green Linden Press is given annually for a book of poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction translated from any language into English. Christopher Nelson will judge. Submit a manuscript of at least 48 pages with a $25 entry fee by November 30. All finalists will be considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

C.P. Cavafy Poetry Prize

Poetry International
Entry Fee: 
$15
Deadline: 
December 1, 2025

A prize of $1,000 and publication in Poetry International is given annually for a single poem. The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit up to three poems of any length with a $15 entry fee ($3 for each additional poem) by December 1. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Writing Contest

Winter Anthology
Entry Fee: 
$11
Deadline: 
January 10, 2026

A prize of $1,000 and publication in Winter Anthology is given annually for a group of poems, a short story, a novel excerpt, or an essay. Using only the online submission system, submit up to 100 pages of poetry or prose with an $11 entry fee by January 10, 2026. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

William Matthews Poetry Prize

Asheville Poetry Review
Entry Fee: 
$20
Deadline: 
January 15, 2026

A prize of $1,000 and publication in Asheville Poetry Review is given annually for a single poem. The winner is also invited to give a reading at Malaprop’s Bookstore in Asheville, North Carolina. Ted Kooser will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit up to three poems of any length with a $20 entry fee by January 15, 2026. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Wishing Jewel Prize

Green Linden Press
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
November 30, 2025

A prize of $1,000 and publication by Green Linden Press is given annually for an innovative book of poetry “that questions the boundaries of genre, form, or mode while engaging the rich possibilities of lyrical expression.” Christopher Nelson will judge. Submit a manuscript of at least 48 pages with a $25 entry fee by November 30. All finalists are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Robert H. Winner Memorial Award

Poetry Society of America
Entry Fee: 
$15
Deadline: 
December 15, 2025

A prize of $2,500 and publication on the Poetry Society of America website is given annually to a poet over 40 who has published no more than one poetry collection. Using only the online submission system, submit 10 pages of poetry with a $15 entry fee by December 15. There is no entry fee for PSA members. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

California Book Awards

Commonwealth Club of California
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
November 15, 2025
Five prizes of $2,500 each are given annually for a poetry collection, a book of fiction, a first book of fiction, a book of creative nonfiction, and a book dealing with a California-based issue, topic, or historical period. Books written by authors residing in California are eligible. Publishers may submit six copies of books published in 2025 by November 15. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.

American Book Awards

Before Columbus Foundation
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
December 31, 2025

Awards are given annually for books published in the United States during the current year in recognition of “outstanding literary achievement from the entire spectrum of America’s diverse literary community.” Submit two copies (or bound galleys) of a book of any genre published in 2025 by December 31. Anyone may submit nominations for the awards. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for more information.

Canadian First Book Prize

Griffin Trust for Excellence in Poetry
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
December 19, 2025

A prize of $10,000 Canadian (approximately $7,239) is awarded for a debut poetry collection by a living Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada published during the current year. Publishers may submit four copies of a book published between July 1 and December 31 by December 19. The deadline for books published during the first half of the year was June 20. Self-published books are not eligible. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.

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