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The Best Poetry Writing Contests of 2023

Writing competitions curated by Reedsy

Genre

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Showing 214 contests

Fiction Factory Poetry Competition

Fiction Factory

This is a UK based competition but we welcome international entries. Poets are invited to enter poems (maximum 40 lines excluding title) on any theme. Discounts are offered on multiple entries. Besides the cash prize, our judge, poet and author and mentor, Helen Cox, will offer feedback on five of the winner's poems plus an hour-long mentorship zoom call about their poetry.

Top prize

£100

Additional prizes

Feedback on poems, a Zoom mentorship call, and publication

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $6

Deadline: October 31, 2023

Genres

Poetry

Nature & Environmental Poetry 2023

Write the World

In his groundbreaking course on ecopoetry, writer and professor Craig Santos Perez focuses on how to use poetry as a voice for the planet. This month, write a poem about what you know and love from the natural world. Your poem may focus on an element of the environment under threat, explore changes in nature, or honor the planet we call home.

Top prize

$100

Additional prizes

Runner up: $50 | Best peer review: $50

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $0

Deadline: September 25, 2023

Genres

Poetry

Matter Poetry Contest

Oprelle

MATTER is our most inclusive contest. All poems that become finalists will be presented in the Matter XXIII anthology. The intention behind this particular contest is to give great odds for publication. It's one of MATTER’s, and Oprelle’s, founding principles: to uplift potentially unheard voices, their stories and poems, to prevent them from being lost in the masses.

Top prize

$300

Additional prizes

Publication in Matter Anthology

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $10

Deadline: September 09, 2023 (Expired)

Genres

Poetry

The Book of the Year Awards

The Independent Author Network

The Independent Author Network presents the 2024 IAN Book of the Year Awards, an international contest open to all authors with 55 fiction and non-fiction categories. Winners are eligible to receive a share of cash prizes of $6,000 USD. Open to all English language print and eBooks available for sale, including small presses, mid-size independent publishers, university presses, and self-published authors.

Top prize

$2,500

Additional prizes

$6,000.00 USD in total cash prizes

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $0

Deadline: August 15, 2023 (Expired)

Genres

Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Thriller, Young Adult

Dissolution

Bergen International Literary Festival

Write your story about the climate crisis in a poem or a personal essay.

Top prize

€2,000

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $0

Deadline: October 15, 2023

Genres

Essay, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, Science Writing, Young Adult

The Goldilocks Zone

Sunspot Literary Journal

Sunspot Lit seeks a story, essay, excerpt from longer prose pieces, artwork, graphic novel, or poem that combines excellence in craft with reader or audience appeal. Feedback for fiction and nonfiction submissions available for additional fee.

Top prize

$500

Additional prizes

Publication

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $12

Deadline: September 30, 2023

Genres

Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, Script Writing, Short Story

Indignor Play House Annual Short Story Competition

Indignor House Publishing

Indignor House Publishing is proud to announce that our annual writing competition (INDIGNOR PLAYHOUSE Short Story Annual Competition) is officially open with expected publication in the fall of 2024. Up to 25 submissions will be accepted for inclusion in the annual anthology.

Top prize

$500

Additional prizes

2nd: $250 | 3rd: $150

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $20

Deadline: March 31, 2024

Genres

Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story, Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult

The Hal Prize

Peninsula Pulse

The contest was created to encourage and appreciate artistic expression through various literary forms and photography. The contest has showcased works from individuals of all ages and backgrounds – novice writers and photographers to professionals.

Top prize

$250

Additional prizes

2nd: $100 | 3rd: $50

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $10

Deadline: September 01, 2023 (Expired)

Genres

Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry

The Moth Nature Writing Prize

The Moth

The Prize will be awarded to unpublished pieces of prose or poetry which best combine exceptional literary merit with an exploration of the writer’s relationship with the natural world. Judged by Kathleen Jamie.

Top prize

€1,000 + 1 week at Circle of Misse in France

Additional prizes

2nd: €500 | 3rd: €250

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $17

Deadline: September 30, 2023

Genres

Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry

The Aryamati Poetry Prize

Fly on the Wall Press

In its fifth year, the Aryamati Prize seeks poets who write for social change and peace. Past winners have included Katrina Dybzynska, Pippa Little, Jenny Mitchell and Sundra Lawrence. The prize will publish both a pamphlet winner and a full collection winner. The Aryamati Poetry Prize is thrilled to announce poet Maura Dooley as a judge for 2023.

Top prize

Traditional publishing contract for 2024 publication

Additional prizes

10 Fly on the Wall books worth £100, in any format

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $14

Deadline: August 28, 2023 (Expired)

Genres

Poetry

Native Voices Award

Kinsman Avenue Publishing, Inc

Indigenous storytellers (Native American, First Nation Australian, Indian, Polynesian, etc.) may submit original, unpublished work in English; short stories, essays, onstage scripts, poetry, or visual art.

Top prize

$500

Additional prizes

2nd: $250 | 3rd: $100 | 6 Finalists: $25 gift card

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: FREE

Deadline: October 31, 2023

Genres

Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Script Writing, Short Story

Letter Review Prize for Manuscripts

Letter Review

The Letter Review Prize for Manuscripts (Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction) is open to writers from anywhere in the world. Three Winners are awarded and have extracts published. 20 entries are Longlisted. Winners receive letter of recommendation for publishers.

Top prize

$1000 (shared by 3 winners)

Additional prizes

Publication

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $25

Deadline: August 31, 2023 (Expired)

Genres

Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Novel, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult

The Letter Review Prize for Poetry

Letter Review

The Letter Review Prize for Poetry (up to 70 lines) is open to writers from anywhere in the world and has no style or subject restrictions. Winners are published and every entry is considered for publication. 20 entries are Longlisted.

Top prize

$800 (shared by 3 winners)

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $15

Deadline: August 31, 2023 (Expired)

Genres

Poetry

Southword Editor’s Poetry Award

Munster Literature Centre

Each entrant for their €20 entry fee will receive a complementary postage-free, one-year subscription to Southword. Poems will be read and judged anonymously. The winning poet will have their three poems published in Southword.

Top prize

€1,000

Additional prizes

Published in Southword

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $22

Deadline: September 30, 2023

Genres

Poetry

Fool for Poetry International Chapbook Competition

Munster Literature Center

The competition is open to new, emerging and established poets from any country. One of these winners will be the highest scoring manuscript entered by a poet with no solo collection (full-length or chapbook) previously published. Up to 25 other entrants will be publicly listed as "highly commended".

Top prize

€1,000

Additional prizes

Chapbook publication with 50 free copies, 2nd prize €500

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $27

Deadline: August 31, 2023 (Expired)

Genres

Poetry

Stephen Spender Prize for Poetry in Translation

Stephen Spender Trust

The leading annual competition for poetry in translation. Submit an English translation of a published poem from any language (max. 60 lines), together with a commentary of no more than 300 words. Open to adults aged 19+ from all over the world. Newcomers to poetry translation welcome!

Top prize

£1000

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $13

Deadline: July 14, 2023 (Expired)

Genres

Poetry

Oxford Poetry Prize 2023

Oxford Poetry Magazine

Oxford Poetry hosts the annual Oxford Poetry Prize, awarded for a single poem in the English language. The guest judge for 2023 is Will Harris.

Top prize

£1000

Additional prizes

2nd: £200 | 3rd: £100

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $13

Deadline: August 31, 2023 (Expired)

Genres

Poetry

All In The Mind

SaveAs Writers

SaveAs Writers invite entries of poetry and prose for their annual competition. 2023 celebrates the centenary of the publication of Freud’s The Ego and the Id. We hope that the theme of ‘all in the mind’ inspires you to write about the role of the unconscious in our daily experience and our culture. How do hidden forces motivate human beings in our spiritual, emotional, and mental lives?

Top prize

£200 for both Poetry & Prose

Additional prizes

2nd: £100 | 3rd: £50 for both Poetry & Prose

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $4

Deadline: September 30, 2023

Genres

Fiction, Poetry

National Youth Foundation "I Matter" Contest

National Youth Foundation

Founded by Black women with a vision for change, the mission of the National Youth Foundation is to promote diversity, inclusion and gender equality through innovative literary programs. The “I Matter” poetry contest was launched by a 14-year old student who took action to educate the world about why Black Lives Matter. The contest calls upon students across the country to submit poems on this important topic.

Top prize

$500

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: FREE

Deadline: July 23, 2023 (Expired)

Genres

Children's, Poetry

Narrative Prize

Narrative Magazine

The Narrative Prize is awarded annually for the best short story, novel excerpt, poem, one-act play, graphic story, or work of literary nonfiction published by a new or emerging writer in Narrative. The submission system is open all year.

Top prize

$4,000

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $27

Deadline: June 15, 2024

Genres

Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story

Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award

Tufts Poetry Awards

Kate Tufts – widow of Kingsley Tufts, and creator of the award – had said she wanted to create a prize “that would enable a poet to work on his or her craft for awhile without paying bills.” The legacy created with the Kingsley & Kate Tufts Poetry Awards will continue to inspire countless generations of poets and lovers of poetry.

Top prize

$100,000

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: FREE

Deadline: June 30, 2023 (Expired)

Genres

Poetry

Kate Tufts Discovery Award

Claremont Graduate University

The Kate Tufts Discovery Award was created in 1994, a year after the inception of the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. It is presented to a first book by a poet of genuine promise. The Kate Tufts Discovery Award offers a hefty prize of $10,000. The work submitted must be a first book of poetry published between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022. Manuscripts, CDs, and chapbooks are not accepted.

Top prize

$10,000

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: FREE

Deadline: June 30, 2023 (Expired)

Genres

Poetry

SFPA Poetry Contest

Science Fiction & Fantasy Poetry Association (SFPA)

The annual SFPA Speculative (Dwarf/Short/Long) Poetry Contest is open to all poets, including non-members of the SFPA. Awards will be given across 3 categories.

Top prize

$150

Additional prizes

2nd: $75 | 3rd: $25 | Publication

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $3

Deadline: August 31, 2023 (Expired)

Genres

Poetry, Fiction

The X.J. Kennedy Poetry Prize

Texas Review Press

Established in 1998, The X. J. Kennedy Prize highlights one full-length collection of poetry per year. Since 2019 the Prize comes with a $10,000 advance, a standard royalty contract, and 20 copies of the published book.

Top prize

$10,000 advance

Additional prizes

Royalty contract with TRP, publication, 20 author copies

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $28

Deadline: September 30, 2023

Genres

Poetry

Benjamin Saltman Poetry Award

Red Hen Press

Established in 1998, in honor of the poet Benjamin Saltman (1927–1999), this award is for a previously unpublished original collection of poetry. The awarded collection is selected through an annual competition that is open to all poets.

Top prize

$3,000

Additional prizes

Book publication by Red Hen Press, a four-week PLAYA residency

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $25

Deadline: October 31, 2023

Genres

Poetry

Edwin Markham Prize for Poetry

Reed Magazine

The Edwin Markham Prize honors outstanding works of poetry. Our taste is eclectic and celebrates the wonderful diversity of forms, styles, and levels of diction available to the contemporary poet. Writers may submit up to five (5) poems per submission.

Top prize

$1,000

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $20

Deadline: November 01, 2023

Genres

Poetry

Songwriting Competition

Write the World

Songs can tell stories, evoke emotion, even deliver lessons. Dear writers, what issue is most pressing to your generation? In an original song, channel this urgency into music, to be sung and celebrated—a rallying call for listeners near and far. This month, write your own song of change. We’ll select a winner for best lyrics and best performance.

Top prize

Best Lyrics: $100

Additional prizes

Best Performance: $100, Best Peer Review: $50

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: FREE

Deadline: June 20, 2023 (Expired)

Genres

Fiction, Poetry

Hastings Book Festival Writing Competition - POETRY

Hastings Book Festival

Entries for the poetry section of the 2023 Hastings Book Festival Writing Competition are now open. Submissions can be on any subject and should be no more than 40 lines long long.

Top prize

£250

Additional prizes

2nd: £100 | 3rd: £50

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $10

Deadline: July 14, 2023 (Expired)

Genres

Poetry

African Diaspora Award

Kinsman Avenue Publishing, Inc.

Submissions are open for Kinsman Quarterly’s African Diaspora Award. Top winners receive prizes up to $500 USD and publication within the Black Diaspora anthology. No entry fee required. Those eligible should submit an original, unpublished work in English that features themes of the African diaspora by July 15, 2023.

Top prize

$500

Additional prizes

2nd: $250 | 3rd: $100 + Publication

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: FREE

Deadline: July 15, 2023 (Expired)

Genres

Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Poetry, Romance, Script Writing, Short Story, Young Adult

Joy Bale Boone Poetry Prize

The Heartland Review Press

Submit 1-3 poems of any form or style for $10 in a Word document through Submittable (link on website). No pdfs. Include a cover letter in the same file. The cover letter should be the first page in the file and contain mailing address, email, and 30-40 word bio. Simultaneous submissions accepted, but poems placed elsewhere will not be included in contest. Finalists (there's usually about 20) who provide a United States Postal Address will receive a free copy of the Spring 2024 issue of The Heartland Review wherein winners and finalists will be published. All entrants, regardless of publication, can receive a discount on the publication cost.

Top prize

$750

Additional prizes

Publication

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $10

Deadline: November 15, 2023

Genres

Poetry

TWFest Poetry Contest

Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival

Submit a collection of 2-4 original, unpublished poems of any style or theme, written in English, with a combined length of up to 400 lines. This contest is open only to emerging writers who have not yet published a book of poetry with an ISBN. Those who have published books in other genres besides poetry remain eligible.

Top prize

$1,000

Additional prizes

VIP Festival pass ($600 value)

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $15

Deadline: October 15, 2023

Genres

Poetry

THE MONO POETRY PRIZE 2023

MONO

We are excited to introduce the 2023 MONO. Poetry Prize judged by Instagram poet and influencer, Blake Auden. This year we are offering the highest prize fund to date, and one of the largest prizes for a single poem in the UK. We're looking for your short-form poetry - send us your Haikus, Sonnets, Tankas, Acrostics, Limericks and any other short-form poem up to 14 lines. The theme is 'BEAT' - which is open to wide interpretation. Please be as creative as you wish. You can enter up to five poems at a cost of £6 per poem (just adjust the quantity at checkout if necessary). There will be a number of sponsored entries for those in financial difficulty. Please email for info, they will be offered on a first come basis and no proof will be required.

Top prize

£650

Additional prizes

2nd: £200 | 3rd: £100

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $8

Deadline: August 01, 2023 (Expired)

Genres

Poetry

Rigel 2023

Sunspot Literary Journal

Sunspot Lit seeks one short story, CNF, artwork, poem, graphic novel, script, or excerpt that outshines the rest. Literary and genre works accepted. Feedback available for additional fee. See guidelines for details. Enter through Sunspot’s Submittable or through Duotrope.

Top prize

$500

Additional prizes

Publication

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $10

Deadline: May 31, 2023 (Expired)

Genres

Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, Script Writing, Short Story

The Paul Cave Prize for Literature

Tim Saunders Publications

The Paul Cave Prize for Literature, established in 2023 by Tim Saunders Publications, is in memory of Paul Astley Cave-Browne-Cave (1917 to 2010), a hugely inspirational magazine and book publisher. What we are looking for All forms of poetry: haiku, free verse, sonnet, acrostic, villanelle, ballad, limerick, ode, elegy, flash fiction, short stories and novellas. Work must be new and unpublished. International submissions welcome.

Top prize

£100

Additional prizes

Best Short Story: £50 | Best Flash Fiction: £25 | Best Poem: £25

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $15

Deadline: September 30, 2023

Genres

Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult

Quill and Keyboard Teen International Writing Competition

Quills and Keyboard

We are made of students hosting a contest for teen & YA authors. There are 15 categories, from journalism to a section for novelists’ favorite chapters. Qualified judges will send feedback on each piece. We partnered with many writing organizations such as Teen Author Boot Camp and Newpages and recognized by non-profits such as Polyphony Lit.

Top prize

Publication in Under the Madness and Skipping Stones

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: FREE

Deadline: May 20, 2023 (Expired)

Genres

Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novella, Poetry, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Script Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult

Related Resources:

Types of Poems: 15 Poetry Forms You Need to Know (blog post)
How to Write a Poem: Get Tips from a Published Poet (blog post)
How to Publish a Poem: 3 Ways to Get Your Work in Front of Readers (blog post)
Poetry Submissions: Top Places To Submit Your Poems (blog post)
How to Publish a Poetry Book: Immortalizing Your Verse (blog post)
How Creative Poetry Book Layouts Can Elevate Your Verse (blog post)
What is Blackout Poetry? The Ultimate Guide to Erasure Verse (blog post)
What is a Haiku? Japan’s Beloved Poetry Format, Explained (blog post)
What is a Chapbook? (And Should You Publish One?) (blog post)

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