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DIRECTORY

Best Poetry Writing Contests in 2025

Showing 159 contests that match your search.

Miller Williams Poetry Prize

University of Arkansas Press

Genres: Poetry

Every year, the University of Arkansas Press accepts submissions for the Miller Williams Poetry Series and from the books selected awards the $5,000 Miller Williams Poetry Prize in the following summer. For almost a quarter century the press has made this series the cornerstone of its work as a publisher of some of the country’s best new poetry. The series and prize are named for and operated to honor the cofounder and longtime director of the press, Miller Williams.

Top Prize:

$5,000

Additional prizes:

Publication through the University of Arkansas Press

💰 Entry fee: $28

📅 Deadline: September 30, 2024 (Expired)

NOWW 26th International Writing Contest

Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop (NOWW)

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

The 26th Annual Writing Contest is currently closed. The next contest will open on January 1, 2025. Categories and further details will be announced later.

Top Prize:

$150

Additional prizes:

2nd place: $100 3rd place: $50

💰 Entry fee: $7

📅 Deadline: January 01, 2025 (Expired)

The One Page Poetry Contest

One Page Poetry

Genres: Poetry

One Page Poetry is dedicated to the art of expressing a poetic theme on a single page, whether your poem is four lines or forty, whether yours is a love poem, inspirational poem, philosophical poem, or just one that is fun or whimsical. We welcome any and all poetic forms, as long as they fit on a single page.

Top Prize:

$2,000

Additional prizes:

2nd: $1000 | 3rd: $500

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: September 30, 2025

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

The competition is open for submissions themed 'The Evolution of Love'. Each entry will be edited, judged based on various writing criteria, and selected works will be published in an anthology.

Top Prize:

$500

Additional prizes:

2nd: $250 | 3rd: $150

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: March 01, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

Write a 2-4-2 syllable poem: 2 syllables in the first line, 4 in the second, 2 in the last. Subject can be anything. Winner receives feedback and a cash prize.

Top Prize:

$100

Additional prizes:

Feedback for all submissions.

📅 Deadline: December 11, 2024 (Expired)

The Paz Prize for Poetry

National Poetry Series

Genres: Poetry

The Paz Prize for Poetry awards a $2,000 prize every other year for the publication of an unpublished book of poetry originally written in Spanish by an American resident. The winning manuscript will be translated into English and published in a bilingual edition.

Top Prize:

$2,000

📅 Deadline: June 15, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Poetry, Short Story, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, Novella, and Script Writing

We are not concerned with genre distinctions. Send us the best you have; we want only for it to be thoughtful, intelligent, and beautiful. We want art that grows in complexity upon each visitation; we enjoy ornate, cerebral, and voluptuous phrases executed with thematic intent.

Top Prize:

$500

Additional prizes:

Publication in "AZURE: A Journal of Literary Thought"

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: September 24, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

The Dream Quest One Poetry Contest is an international competition aimed at encouraging writers and poets to showcase their original works. The contest is open to all, regardless of experience, and accepts entries in various styles and themes. The mission is to inspire creativity and support literary talents.

Top Prize:

$250

Additional prizes:

Second Place: $125 Third Place: $50 Winners may also have their work published online.

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: April 06, 2025 (Expired)

Agnes Lynch Starrett Poetry Prize

University of Pittsburgh Press

Genres: Poetry

The Agnes Lynch Starrett Poetry Prize, established in 1981, is awarded for a first full-length book of poems. The prize includes a cash award and publication as part of the Pitt Poetry Series.

Top Prize:

$5,000

Additional prizes:

Publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: April 30, 2025 (Expired)

Anthology Poetry Competition

Anthology Magazine

Genres: Poetry

The Anthology Poetry Competition aims to recognize and encourage excellence in poetry writing and to provide a platform for publication. Open to original and unpublished poems in English, there are no restrictions on theme or style. Poems must not exceed 40 lines, and there is no limit on the number of entries.

Top Prize:

€1000

Additional prizes:

2nd: €500 | 3rd: €250 + publication of the winning poem in Anthology magazine

💰 Entry fee: $18

📅 Deadline: October 31, 2025

Genres: Poetry

The Troubadour International Poetry Prize is an annual competition open to poets worldwide, judged by notable figures in the literary community. The 2024 prize includes cash awards for the top three poems, as well as opportunities for commended entries.

Top Prize:

$2,000

Additional prizes:

Second: £1,000 Third prize: £500 20 commended entries Winners read with judges at the online international prize-night celebration.

💰 Entry fee: $8

📅 Deadline: September 23, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

The competition invites submissions of poetry. The theme for 2024 is 'RISKING ALL', commemorating the Everest Climbing expedition centenary.

Top Prize:

$200

Additional prizes:

Second Place: £100 Second Place: £50

💰 Entry fee: $4

📅 Deadline: August 31, 2024 (Expired)

Winds of Asia Award

Kinsman Avenue Publishing, Inc

Genres: Flash Fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

The Winds of Asia Award invites Asian authors and poets to submit original, unpublished works that highlight Asian cultures. Winners can receive cash prizes up to $500, along with publication in Kinsman Quarterly and the upcoming anthology, Winds of Asia. The contest encourages diverse voices and stories.

Top Prize:

$500

Additional prizes:

2nd: $200, 3rd: $100, 4th: $50. Subsequent 6 finalists receive a $25 amazon gift card. 1st place also gets publication in Kinsman Quarterly and the annual anthology.

📅 Deadline: February 28, 2025 (Expired)

Military Anthology: Partnerships, the Untold Story

Armed Services Arts Partnership

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

Partners are an integral aspect of military life, at home and afar, during deployment and after homecoming. Partnerships drive military action and extend beyond being a battle buddy, wingman, or crew member. Some are planned while others arise entirely unexpectedly. Spouses, family, old or new friends, community, faith leaders, and medical specialists all support the military community. Despite their importance, the stories of these partnerships often go untold. This anthology aims to correct that: We will highlight the nuances, surprises, joy, sorrow, heroism, tears, healing power, and ache of partnerships. We invite you to submit the story about partnerships from your journey, so we can help tell it.

Top Prize:

$500 Editors' Choice award

Additional prizes:

$250 for each genre category (prose, poetry, visual art)

📅 Deadline: March 01, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

The Edwin Markham Prize for Poetry honors outstanding works of poetry, celebrating the diverse forms and styles of contemporary poets. The contest features a submission fee and specific entry requirements for participation.

Top Prize:

$1,000

💰 Entry fee: $20

📅 Deadline: October 31, 2025

Genres: Poetry

The competition invites poets to submit works based on five given words each week over a 42-week period. It aims to encourage creativity and showcases poets' works in an anthology.

Top Prize:

$750

Additional prizes:

Second place: 500 euros Third place: 250 euros Travel fee and accommodation for winners attending the event. Physical award crafted by Michael Ray, plus opportunities for winners to read at events.

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: January 28, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, and Poetry

The Unleash WIP Award supports writers in completing significant literary projects, offering $500, editorial feedback, coaching, and a feature in Unleash Lit.

Top Prize:

$500

Additional prizes:

Editorial feedback, coaching meetings, and an excerpt/interview feature in Unleash Lit.

💰 Entry fee: $35

📅 Deadline: July 15, 2025

Narrative Prize

Narrative Magazine

Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

The Narrative Prize is awarded annually for the best short story, novel excerpt, poem, one-act play, graphic story, or work of literary nonfiction by a new or emerging writer. All works published in the magazine each year are considered, and previously unpublished works may also be submitted. The prize includes a cash award and recognition in the literary community.

Top Prize:

$5,000

💰 Entry fee: $27

📅 Deadline: June 15, 2025 (Expired)

Iridescence Award

Kinsman Avenue Publishing, Inc

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Poetry, and Science Fiction

The Iridescence Award is a writing contest for BIPOC authors. It focuses on themes like the supernatural, extraterrestrial, or paranormal, encouraging submissions in short stories and poetry. Winners will have their work published in the Iridescence anthology, and cash awards are available. Entries must be original and unpublished, and they should align with the contest guidelines.

Top Prize:

$500

Additional prizes:

Publication in the Iridescence anthology | 2nd place: $250 | 3rd place: $100

📅 Deadline: April 30, 2025 (Expired)

The Plough Prize

The Plough Arts Centre

Genres: Poetry

The Plough Prize is an international poetry competition open for poems in English, limited to 40 lines on any subject. The contest emphasizes anonymity in judging, with a focus on quality.

Top Prize:

£1,000

Additional prizes:

2nd place: £500 3rd place: £250 Highly Commended poems may be recognized.

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: March 31, 2024 (Expired)

The Montreal International Poetry Prize

Department of English at McGill University

Genres: Poetry

Founded in 2010, the Montreal International Poetry Prize is a global competition awarding $20,000 CAD to a poet for a single poem of 40 or fewer lines. The prize emphasizes original poetry, international readership, and exploration of diverse Englishes. The contest is juried by esteemed poets and critics, and the shortlisted works are published in an anthology.

Top Prize:

$20,000

Additional prizes:

Publication in the Montreal Poetry Prize Anthology

💰 Entry fee: $20

📅 Deadline: May 15, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

The Trio Award is for emerging poets with less than two books published. It includes a reading fee of $25 and is part of the submissions period from November 1 to March 31 each year. The contest features a judge, Sierra DeMulder for the 2025 award.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Publication and twenty books

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: March 31, 2025 (Expired)

The Plaza Poetry Prize

The Plaza Prizes Ltd.

Genres: Poetry

The Plaza Poetry Prize (60 lines) is an international competition with the aim of discovering, publishing, and promoting talented new writers. Judged by Pulitzer Prize-winner Natalie Diaz, it offers cash prizes and publication opportunities for shortlisted entries.

Top Prize:

$5,000

Additional prizes:

First Place: £4000 / $5000 + publication in the anthology + nomination for The Forward Prize (Top prize of £1000 / $1200). Second Prize: £300 / $360. Third Prize: £100 / $120.

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: February 28, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

The Fire & Ash Publishers Salon Competition is designed for local poets to showcase their works to industry professionals. Each month, four poets are selected to read their poetry at salon nights. An adjudication panel anonymously selects finalists based on submitted poems, and finalists receive a $50 CAD honorarium and an invitation to perform.

Top Prize:

$50

Additional prizes:

Honorarium for finalists and an invitation to perform their poem.

📅 Deadline: February 07, 2025 (Expired)

Goldilocks Zone

Sunspot Literary Journal

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Script Writing, and Short Story

The Goldilocks Zone contest invites submissions for fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, artwork, and graphic novels, seeking works that combine craft with audience appeal. The prize includes cash and publication for winners and runners-up.

Top Prize:

$100

Additional prizes:

Publication for the winner; publication offered to runners-up and finalists.

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: May 01, 2025 (Expired)

Louise Bogan Award

Trio House Press

Genres: Poetry

The Louise Bogan Award for Artistic Merit and Excellence includes $1,000, publication, and twenty books. The Louise Bogan Award for Artistic Merit and Excellence is open to ALL poets, regardless of publication history.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Publication and twenty copies of the book

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: March 31, 2025 (Expired)

Kate Tufts Discovery Award

Claremont Graduate University

Genres: Poetry

The Kate Tufts Discovery Award is presented to a first book of poetry by a poet of genuine promise. It is part of the Tufts Poetry Awards, which also includes the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. The award aims to support poets in their craft and provide recognition and visibility.

Top Prize:

$10,000

📅 Deadline: July 01, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

The Muriel Craft Bailey Poetry Contest is an annual event that celebrates original poetry. It has been held since 1997 in memory of poet Muriel Craft Bailey. The contest is open for submissions from April 1 to July 15 each year, with guidelines updated periodically.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Publication by The Comstock Review

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: July 15, 2024 (Expired)

"I Matter" Contest

National Youth Foundation

Genres: Poetry

A national poetry and art competition initiated by a 14-year-old youth co-founder to allow students to express feelings about racial injustice, specifically focusing on the Black Lives Matter movement. The contest aims to promote diversity and inclusion through literary arts.

Additional prizes:

Winning entries are featured on social media and published in an annual book

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: July 23, 2025

Blue Lynx Prize for Poetry

Lynx House Press

Genres: Poetry

The Blue Lynx Prize for Poetry is awarded for an unpublished, full-length volume of poems by a U.S. author, along with foreign nationals living and writing in the U.S. and U.S. citizens abroad. The prize includes $2000 and publication.

Top Prize:

$2,000

Additional prizes:

Publication

💰 Entry fee: $28

📅 Deadline: June 16, 2024 (Expired)

Kinsman Poetry Slam

Kinsman Avenue Publishing, Inc

Genres: Poetry

The Kinsman Poetry Slam is a global competition seeking unique contemporary poetry for the upcoming collection, SLAM! Winners receive up to $300 cash prizes and publication. Submissions of original, unpublished works in English up to 10 pages are encouraged, focusing on themes of culture, resilience, passion, and justice. Entry fee is $5.99, and submissions must be received by May 31, 2024.

Top Prize:

$300

Additional prizes:

2nd place: $200 3rd place: $100 4th place: $50 Top 6 Finalists: $25 Amazon gift card; 6 Honorary Mentions. Winner also receives publication in Kinsman Quarterly and the "SLAM" anthology.

💰 Entry fee: $6

📅 Deadline: May 31, 2024 (Expired)

Willow Run Poetry Book Award

Hidden River Press

Genres: Poetry

The Willow Run Poetry Book Award is an annual contest open to poets worldwide. The winner receives a monetary prize of $1,000 and publication by Hidden River Press. Entries should be unpublished collections of poetry, between 75 and 100 pages.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Publication in Hidden River Press

💰 Entry fee: $20

📅 Deadline: April 30, 2024 (Expired)

First Book Award

Academy of American Poets

Genres: Poetry

The First Book Award is a $5,000 prize for a first book of poetry. The winning manuscript is published by Graywolf Press, with additional benefits like a residency in Italy and extensive promotion.

Top Prize:

$5,000

💰 Entry fee: $35

📅 Deadline: September 01, 2024 (Expired)

Jane Martin Poetry Prize

Girton College, University of Cambridge

Genres: Poetry

The Jane Martin Poetry Prize is a national poetry competition established in 2010 in memory of Girton alumna Jane Elizabeth Martin. It aims to support young poets and promote literary excellence, judged by experts in the literary field.

Top Prize:

£1000

Additional prizes:

2nd place: £500 Opportunity to give a reading at Girton College.

📅 Deadline: December 09, 2024 (Expired)

Fischer Prize

Telluride Institute

Genres: Poetry

A national poetry contest established in 1997 in memory of Mark Fischer. It aims to promote poetry and supports the Talking Gourds community poetry program. The contest is open to all poets writing in English, regardless of age or location, and it awards cash prizes to winners and finalists.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Five $250 Outstanding Finalist prizes

💰 Entry fee: $12

📅 Deadline: August 31, 2025

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