The Best Poetry Writing Contests of 2023
Writing competitions curated by Reedsy
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Showing 201 contests
North Street Book Prize
Winning Writers
Submit a self-published or hybrid-published book, up to 200,000 words in length. One grand prize winner will receive $10,000, a marketing analysis and one-hour phone consultation with Carolyn Howard-Johnson, a $300 credit at BookBaby, three months of Plus service (a $207 value) and a $500 account credit from Book Award Pro, and 3 free ads in the Winning Writers newsletter (a $525 value)
Top prize
$10,000
Additional prizes
$1,000 for top winner in each category | $300 for honorable mentions
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $75
Deadline: June 30, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, Children's, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestWrite By The Sea Writing Competition
Write By The Sea
Flash Fiction (700 words), Short Story (2,500 words), Poetry (40 lines) Memoir/Personal Essay (1,000 words). The winner of each category will receive a cash prize of €500, a beautiful hand-crafted WBTS 2023 Writing Competition trophy and a free weekend pass to Write By The Sea festival 2023. All four winning pieces will be published on the Write By The Sea website.
Top prize
€500
Additional prizes
2nd: €200 | 3rd: €300
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $11
Deadline: June 04, 2023
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Poetry, Short Story
View contestInternational Welsh Poetry Competition 2023
International Welsh Poetry Competition
The first Welsh Poetry Competition was set up by poet & writer Dave Lewis in 2007. The aim is to inspire people to capture life in the present day and to give a voice to a new generation of poets and writers. We are not interested in purely academic types of literature but would much rather see pure raw passion burst onto the creative writing scene in Wales.
Top prize
£500
Additional prizes
2nd: £250 | 3rd: £125
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $8
Deadline: June 04, 2023
Genres
Poetry
View contestInternational Poetry Book Awards 2023
Poetry Book Awards
The Poetry Book Awards is an annual, international book award given to the best poetry books produced by indie writers, self published authors or books published by small, truly independent presses. We are proud to be a Welsh based international awards programme, open to all indie authors and self published poets globally.
Top prize
£400
Additional prizes
2nd: £200 | 3rd: £100 | Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $44
Deadline: July 31, 2023
Genres
Poetry
View contestBooksie 2023 Poetry Contest
Booksie
Booksie is looking to crown its 2018 Poet Laureate. The poetry can be of any type, length, or content, but it must be your own. The poetry can be serious or whimsical, fact or fiction, but it should strike a chord that makes us sit up and take notice. We're looking for poems that say something and make a reader sit up and think. You may submit as many entries as you like.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
$150 to two runners-up
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $7
Deadline: June 15, 2023
Genres
Poetry
View contestThe TRP Southern Breakthrough Series
Texas Review Press
The TRP Southern Poetry Breakthrough Series highlights a first full-length collection by emerging authors from each state in the southern U.S. This year's state is South Carolina. Open to any poet born in South Carolina, currently residing in South Carolina, or who has lived in South Carolina for five consecutive years at any point, who has not yet published a full-length collection of poetry. The author may have published chapbooks or books in other genres. Submissions accepted through Submittable only.
Top prize
Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: February 28, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestThe One Page Poetry Contest
One Page 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 requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: September 30, 2023
Genres
Poetry
View contestAutumn House Poetry Contest
Autumn House Press
For the 2023 contest, the Autumn House staff as well as select outsider readers serve as the preliminary readers, and the final judge is Toi Derricotte. The winner receives publication of a full-length manuscript and $2,500.
Top prize
Book publication | $1,000 honorarium | $1,500 travel/publicity grant
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $30
Deadline: March 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestThe Iowa Review Awards
The Iowa Review
Each January since 2003, The Iowa Review has invited submissions to The Iowa Review Awards, a writing contest in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Winners receive $1,500; first runners-up receive $750. Winners and runners-up are published in each December issue.
Top prize
$1,500
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: January 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story
View contestThe Donald Hall Prize for Poetry
Association of Writers & Writing Programs
AWP sponsors the Award Series, an annual competition for the publication of excellent new book-length works. The competition is open to all authors writing in English regardless of nationality or residence, and is available to published and unpublished authors alike.
Top prize
$5,500
Additional prizes
Publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $30
Deadline: March 03, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestTor House Prize for Poetry
Robinson Jeffers Tor House Foundation
The annual Tor House Prize for Poetry is a living memorial to American poet Robinson Jeffers. The contest is open to well-crafted poetry in all styles, ranging from experimental work to traditional forms, including short narrative poems. Poems should be no longer than 3 pages.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
$200 for honorable mention
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: March 15, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestOpen Prize
The National Poetry Series
The National Poetry Series seeks book-length manuscripts of poetry written by American residents or American citizens living abroad.
Top prize
$10,000
Additional prizes
Publication of full-length manuscript
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $35
Deadline: March 15, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestThe Plough Prize
The Plough Arts Centre
The Plough Poetry Prize is an international open competition for a poem up to 40 lines on any subject.
Top prize
£1,000
Additional prizes
2nd: £500 | 3rd: £250
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $7
Deadline: March 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestThe Hudson Prize
Black Lawrence Press
Each year Black Lawrence Press will award The Hudson Prize for an unpublished collection of poems or short stories. The prize is open to new, emerging, and established writers. The winner of this contest will receive book publication, a $1,000 cash award, and ten copies of the book. Prizes awarded on publication.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Book publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $27
Deadline: March 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry, Short Story
View contestThe Caterpillar Prize
Caterpillar Magazine
The Caterpillar Poetry Prize is an annual prize for an unpublished poem written by an adult for children aged 7–11. This year’s judge is none other than Michael Morpurgo!
Top prize
€1000 + 1 week at Circle of Misse in France
Additional prizes
2nd: €500 | 3rd: €250
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: March 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestNimrod Literary Awards
Nimrold International Journal of Prose and Poetry
All finalists in fiction and poetry will be published and paid at our standard publication rate. Semi-finalists in poetry will also be published and paid at our standard publication rate.
Top prize
$2000 + Publication
Additional prizes
2nd: $1000 + Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: April 01, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Poetry, Short Story, Novel
View contestFiction Factory Poetry Competition
Fiction Factory
This is a UK based competition but we welcome international entries. Poems should be 40 lines maximum. Entry Fee: $5 US ($12 for 3 poems) Top prize: 5 shortlisted poets will receive a supportive critique on their poems. One winner from that shortlist will receive a £100 ($125 US) cash prize, as well as feedback on 5 poems they have written, plus an hour-long mentorship Zoom call with the judge to talk about their poetry.
Top prize
$123
Additional prizes
Feedback on poems and a Zoom mentorship call
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: March 01, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestLenore Marshall Poetry Prize
Academy of American Poets
Established in 1975, this $25,000 award recognizes the most outstanding book of poetry published in the United States in the previous calendar year. The prize includes distribution of the winning book to hundreds of Academy of American Poets members.
Top prize
$25,000
Additional prizes
Publication and distribution of book
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $75
Deadline: May 15, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestJames Laughlin Award
Academy of American Poets
Offered since 1954, the James Laughlin Award is given to recognize and support a second book of poetry forthcoming in the next calendar year. Along with $5,000, the winner receives an all-expenses-paid weeklong residency in Miami Beach, Florida, and distribution of the winning book to approximately one thousand Academy of American Poets members. Submissions are accepted January 1 through May 15 each year.
Top prize
$5,000
Additional prizes
Distribution of book to Academy of American Poets members
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: May 15, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestThe Lascaux Prize in Poetry
The Lascaux Review
Poems may be previously published or unpublished, and simultaneous submissions are accepted. Winner receives $1,000, a bronze medallion, and publication online in The Lascaux Review. The winner and all finalists will be published in the annual print journal.
Top prize
$1,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: March 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestThe 2023 Bloom Writing Contest
The European Society of Literature
The 2023 Bloom Writing Contest is a writing competition that seeks to find hidden talent in the literary scene. The contest will place heavy emphasis on works of deep meaning, aesthetic beauty and literary quality—just as Harold Bloom did. The 2023 Bloom Writing Contest accepts submissions of all types, whether it be an essay, a poem, a short story.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $3
Deadline: May 01, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Memoir, Novel, Poetry
View contest2023 Poetry Chapbook Contest
The Heartland Review Press
Submit no more than 30 pages of your best poetry work. Any theme or style. THRP is not concerned with the poet who has the most publications; rather, we wish to award the best writing that contributes the most to the craft of poetry.
Top prize
$500
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: May 01, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestPoems for the Solstice Contest
Farmer-ish Journal
To celebrate Winter Solstice in 2023, Farmer-ish journal is excited to announce a special poetry contest with a cash prize and publication for the top 50 poems. We are accepting contest submissions for a poetry collection focusing on poems for the Winter Solstice. We are looking for poems about farming, nature, environmentalism, cozy, rest, light, tradition, and more.
Top prize
$250
Additional prizes
Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: February 28, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestAskew's Word on the Lake Writing Contest
Shuswap Association of Writers
Whether you’re an established or emerging writer, the Askew’s Word on the Lake Writing Contest has a place for you! Part of the Word on the Lake Writers’ Festival in Salmon Arm, BC, Canada, the contest is open to submissions in short fiction (up to 1,500 words), nonfiction (up to 1,500 words), and poetry (up to three one-page poems).
Top prize
$200 CAD
Additional prizes
Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: January 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry
View contestWergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest
Winning Writers
Now in its 22nd year, this contest seeks today's best humor poems. No fee to enter. Submit published or unpublished work. $3,500 in prizes.
Top prize
$2,000
Additional prizes
Two-year gift certificate for Duotrope | 2nd: $500
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: April 01, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Humor, Poetry
View contestQuill & Ink Literary Festival
Grassroots Literary Magazine
Three awards will be given out to authors in categories of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, with a special fourth award being given to a standout self-published work. Each winning author will be awarded $1,500, given the author attends the festival to host a workshop decided by the festival staff. A two-night hotel stay will be provided.
Top prize
$1,500 x4
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: February 19, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestBrink Literary Journal Award for Hybrid Writing
Brink
The Brink Literary Journal Award for Hybrid Writing will be administered to the winner of a literary contest designed to champion innovative hybrid and cross-genre work.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $22
Deadline: February 15, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, Science Writing, Short Story
View contestAnthology Poetry Award
Anthology Magazine
Entries are now invited for the Anthology Poetry Award. Established to recognise and encourage excellence in the craft of poetry writing and to provide a platform for publication, it is open to original and previously unpublished poems in the English language. Poems submitted must be on the theme of ‘Freedom’ and should not exceed 40 lines.
Top prize
€1000
Additional prizes
2nd: €500 | 3rd: €250
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $18
Deadline: August 31, 2023
Genres
Poetry
View contestPoetry Open
Gemini Magazine
For our 13th annual Poetry Open, we consider previously unpublished poems of any subject, style or length. Submit up to three poems. Six cash prizes plus online publication.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
2nd: $100 | 4x honorable mentions: $25
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $9
Deadline: January 03, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestHispanic Culture Review Contest 2022-2023
Hispanic Culture Review
As the Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano once said, "the best that the world has is in the many worlds that the world contains." Therefore, this year we invite you to reflect on the following questions: How do you or your community celebrate these connections? How do you value those experiences with those people who leave a mark on your life? 1 work will be awarded in each category: 1) photography & visual arts, 2) poetry, and 3) narrative/essay/academic investigation.
Top prize
$100 for photography, poetry, and essay winners
Additional prizes
Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: February 01, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story, Flash Fiction
View contestAnnual Cultural Heritage Writing Contest
The Trailblazer Review
Founded in November 2022, The Trailblazer Review is an international high school literary magazine dedicated to celebrating and honoring indigenous culture through creative writing. Its Annual Cultural Heritage Contest accepts submissions of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction under 4000 words from middle and high school students (13-18 years old) on the subject of native culture and heritage.
Top prize
Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: February 20, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Script Writing, Short Story, Young Adult
View contestThe Big Moose Prize
Black Lawrence Press
Each year Black Lawrence Press will award The Big Moose Prize for an unpublished novel. The prize is open to new, emerging, and established writers. The winner of this contest will receive book publication, a $1,000 cash award, and ten copies of the book. Prizes will be awarded on publication. The Big Moose Prize is open to traditional novels as well as novels-in-stories, novels-in-poems, and other hybrid forms that contain within them the spirit of a novel.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication, 10 copies of your book
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $27
Deadline: January 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel, Poetry, Short Story
View contestAnnual Poetry Contest
Third Wednesday
Each year Third Wednesday awards 3 $100 prizes in its annual poetry contest. For this year's contest, entries will be accepted from November 1, 2020 through February 15, 2021. We will accept contest entries of up to 3 previously unpublished poems of any style and subject matter. There is no limit on length.
Top prize
$100
Additional prizes
print copy of the 3rd Wednesday contest issue
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $6
Deadline: February 15, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestTrio Award for First or Second Book
Trio House Press
The Trio Award for First or Second Book includes $1,000, publication, and twenty books. The Trio Award for First or Second Book is only open to poets with less than two books published.
Top prize
$1,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: April 30, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestLouise Bogan Award
Trio House Press
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
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: April 30, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contest
