Tags: book awards

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.

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book awards

Literary Awards

Black Caucus of the American Library Association
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
December 31, 2025

Four prizes of $1,000 each are given annually for a poetry collection, a debut novel, a book of fiction, and a book of nonfiction (including creative nonfiction) by African American writers published in the United States in the current year. The awards honor books that depict the “cultural, historical, or sociopolitical aspects of the Black Diaspora.” Publishers may nominate books published in 2025 by December 31. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for a list of jurors to whom books should be sent and complete guidelines.

Tags: 
novel | African American | book awards | first book awards

Hollis Summers Poetry Prize

Ohio University Press
Entry Fee: 
$30
Deadline: 
December 31, 2025

A prize of $1,000 and publication by Ohio University Press is given annually for a poetry collection. Michael Prior will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 60 to 95 pages with a $30 entry fee by December 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

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Dorset Prize

Tupelo Press
Entry Fee: 
$30
Deadline: 
December 31, 2025

A prize of $3,000, publication by Tupelo Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. The winner also receives a two-week residency at Gentle House in Port Angeles, Washington. Submit a manuscript of 48 to 88 pages with a $30 entry fee by December 31. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

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book awards

Rilke Prize

University of North Texas
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
November 30, 2025

A prize of $10,000 is given annually for a poetry collection published in the current year by a midcareer poet. The winner will also give a reading and book signing at the University of North Texas in fall 2026. U.S. poets who have previously published at least two poetry collections are eligible. The University of North Texas poetry faculty will judge. Authors, editors, or publishers may submit three copies of a book published between November 1, 2024, and October 31, 2025, by November 30. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.

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book awards

Juniper Prizes

University of Massachusetts Press
Entry Fee: 
$30
Deadline: 
September 30, 2025
Five prizes of $1,000 each and publication by University of Massachusetts Press are given annually for a debut poetry collection, a poetry collection by an author who has previously published a book, a short story collection, a novel, and a book of creative nonfiction. Using only the online submission system, submit a poetry manuscript of 60 to 95 pages, a story collection or novel of 55,000 to 75,000 words, or a memoir, book of narrative nonfiction, biography, or essay collection of 50,000 to 70,000 words with a $30 entry fee by September 30. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Tags: 
novel | novella | short stories | book awards | first book awards

Catherine Doctorow Innovative Fiction Prize

Fiction Collective Two
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
November 1, 2025
A prize of $15,000 and publication by Fiction Collective Two, an imprint of University of Alabama Press, is given annually for a novel, a story collection, a novella, or a novella collection. Writers who are from or are residing in the United States and who have published at least three books are eligible. Kazim Ali will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of any length, a brief bio, and a list of at least three previously published books with a $25 entry fee (waivers are available based on financial need) by November 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
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novel | novella | short stories | book awards

Ronald Sukenick Innovative Fiction Contest

Fiction Collective Two
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
November 1, 2025
A prize of $3,000 and publication by Fiction Collective Two is given annually for a novel, a story collection, a novella, or a novella collection. Writers who are from or are residing in the United States and who have not previously published a book with Fiction Collective Two are eligible. Alvin Lu will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of any length with a brief bio and a $25 entry fee (waivers are available based on financial need) by November 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
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fiction | novel | novella | short stories | book awards

Drue Heinz Literature Prize

University of Pittsburgh Press
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
June 30, 2025
A prize of $15,000 and publication by University of Pittsburgh Press is given annually for a collection of short fiction. Writers who have published at least one previous book of fiction or a minimum of three short stories or novellas in nationally distributed magazines or literary journals are eligible. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 150 to 300 pages by June 30. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
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short stories | book awards

National Book Awards

National Book Foundation
Entry Fee: 
$135
Deadline: 
June 6, 2025
Four prizes of $10,000 each are given annually for books of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and young people’s literature written by U.S. writers and published in the United States during the previous year. A $10,000 prize is also given for an English translation of a book of fiction or nonfiction by a living writer and translator published in the United States during the previous year. Finalists in all categories receive $1,000 each. Publishers may submit titles published or scheduled for publication between December 1, 2024, and November 30, 2025, for consideration via the online submission form with a $135 entry fee per title by May 14. Additionally, a digital copy and six hard copies (or bound galleys) of the books must be submitted to the judges and the National Book Foundation by June 6. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.
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book awards

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