Genre: Poetry

An award of $2,000 and publication in Plough will be given annually for a single poem that reflects Rhina Espaillat’s “lyricism, attention to form, empathy, and ability to find grace in everyday events of life.” Jane Clark Scharl will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit up to three poems of no more than 50 lines each with a $7 entry fee per poem by April 30. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

A prize of $1,500 and publication in Beloit Poetry Journal is given annually for a single poem. Using only the online submission system, submit up to three poems totaling no more than 10 pages with a $15 entry fee by April 30. All entries are considered for publication. A limited number of fee waivers, based on financial need, are available upon request. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Three prizes of $2,000 each and publication in Ploughshares are given annually for a poem or group of poems, a short story, and an essay. Each winner also receives a consultation with the literary agency Aevitas Creative Management. Writers who have not published a book or a chapbook with a print run of over 350 copies are eligible. Using only the online submission system, submit three to five pages of poetry or up to 6,500 words of prose with a $30 entry fee (there is no entry fee for current subscribers), which includes a subscription to Ploughshares, by March 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

A prize of $10,000, publication by University of Pittsburgh Press, and 15 author copies is given annually for a first book of poetry by a Black poet within the African diaspora. The winner is also invited to give a featured reading in fall 2027. Jericho Brown will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 60 to 75 pages by April 30. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.