The Best Poetry Writing Contests of 2023
Writing competitions curated by Reedsy
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Showing 202 contests
Miller Williams Poetry Prize
University of Arkansas Press
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 requirements
💰 Fee: $28
Deadline: September 30, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestBirdy Poetry Prize
Meadowlark Books
Meadowlark Books created The Birdy Poetry Prize to celebrate the voices of this era. The prize is $1,000 cash and publication by Meadowlark Books, including 50 copies of the completed book. All entries will be considered for standard Meadowlark Books publishing contract offers, as well.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication by Meadowlark Books
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: December 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestThe Anthony Hecht Poetry Prize
The Waywiser Press
The Waywiser Press is a small independent company, with its main office in the UK, and a subsidiary in the USA. It was founded in late 2001, and started publishing in 2002. We are keen to promote the work of new as well as established authors, and would like to rescue still others from undeserved neglect.
Top prize
$3,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $29
Deadline: December 01, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestMarsh Hawk Press Poetry Prize
Marsh Hawk Press
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Marsh Hawk Press is given annually for a poetry collection. Manuscripts should be between 48 to 84 pages.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication by Marsh Hawk Press
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: April 30, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestMichael Waters Poetry Prize
University of Southern Indiana
A prize of $3,000 and publication by SIR Press is awarded annually for a collection of poetry written in English. Michael Waters will judge. Submit up at least 40 and no more than 100 pages of poetry to be considered.
Top prize
$5,000
Additional prizes
Publication by SIR Press
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: February 01, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestThe Bird in Your Hands Prize
Thin Air Magazine
The Bird in Your Hands Prize is a contest that centers and celebrates BIPOC voices. This is a no-fee contest accepting poetry, fiction, and nonfiction in any form under 500 words. The winner of the contest will be awarded $1000, published in Thin Air Magazine, and interviewed for Thin Air Online.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication in Thin Air Magazine; cash prizes for runner-up and second runner-up
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: December 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry
View contestMaureen Egen Writers Exchange Award
Poets & Writers, Inc.
Poetry manuscripts should not exceed 10 pages, single or double-spaced (minimum of seven pages). Fiction manuscripts should not exceed 25 pages and must be double-spaced. Fiction manuscripts may include stories and/or excerpts from novels.
Top prize
$500
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: March 01, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Poetry
View contestFall Travel Writing Contest
Nowhere Magazine
We are looking for young, old, novice and veteran writers to send us stories that possess a powerful sense of place. Stories can be fiction, nonfiction, poetry or essay.
Top prize
$1,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: December 15, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Non-fiction, Poetry, Fiction
View contestFirst Book Award
Academy of American Poets
The First Book Award is a $5,000 first-book publication prize. The winning manuscript, chosen by an acclaimed poet, is published by Graywolf Press. The winner also receives an all-expenses-paid six-week residency at the Civitella Ranieri Center, in the Umbrian region of Italy.
Top prize
$5,000
Additional prizes
Publication by Graywolf Press
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $35
Deadline: October 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestSelf-Publishing Literary Awards
The Black Caucus of ALA
The Black Caucus of ALA (BCALA) honors the best self-published ebooks by an African American author in the U.S. in the Fiction and Poetry genres.
Top prize
$500
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: February 28, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel, Poetry
View contestTusculum Review Poetry Chapbook Prize
The Tusculum Review
A prize of $1,000, publication of the chapbook in The Tusculum Review’s 2022 issue, and creation of a limited edition stand-alone chapbook is awarded for the winning collection of poems.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication in The Tusculum Review, creation of a limited edition chapbook
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: June 15, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestPoetry Competition
Globe Soup
We’re looking for the best POEM of up to 50 lines. The theme for Globe Soup Poetry Competitions is always: ‘Poetry with a Sense of Place’. We accept all forms and styles of poetry. We can’t wait to see where this competition takes you!
Top prize
£1000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $11
Deadline: August 24, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestHorizons
SaveAs Writers
2021 marks the centenary of T S Eliot’s visit to Margate, where he wrote part of The Waste Land. To celebrate his work and the views from our coastline, SaveAs Writers launch their annual international creative writing competition, this year asking for poems and short stories on the theme of Horizons. The theme can be literal, figurative, a celebration of views, a reflection on Eliot and his work, or a broader take on the theme.
Top prize
£200
Additional prizes
£100 second place, £50 third place
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: August 31, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry, Short Story
View contestTypehouse Literary Magazine Open Fiction Contest
Typehouse Literary Magazine
We are pleased to announce Typehouse Literary Magazine 's third biennial Open Fiction Contest! All pieces must be between 1000-6000 words, entries must be previously unpublished and all genres are accepted.
Top prize
$175
Additional prizes
$100 for second place and $50 for third place
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $12
Deadline: June 30, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story
View contestNowhere Magazine Spring 2021 Travel Writing Contest
Nowhere Magazine
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Nowhere Magazine is given twice yearly for a travel-specific short story, long-form creative nonfiction piece, poem or essay that possesses a powerful sense of place, character or time. Unpublished and published pieces that have not previously been chosen as a contest winner are eligible. Submit your 800- to 5,000-word piece with a $20 entry fee by June 30, 2021.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication in Nowhere magazine
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: June 30, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story
View contestJane Martin Poetry Prize (UK)
Girton College
A UK-only competition for young poets (aged 18-30 years). The winners receive a cash prize of £700 and have an opportunity to give a reading at a celebratory event at Girton College.
Top prize
£700
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: March 05, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestNowhere Emerging Travel Writers' Prize
Nowhere Magazine
We are looking for never-been-published travel writers from anywhere in the world to send us stories—fiction, nonfiction, essay or poetry—that possess a powerful sense of place, people and time.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
Publication in Nowhere Magazine
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: March 31, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story
View contestJuniper Prizes
University of Massachusetts Press
The Juniper Prizes for Poetry, Fiction, and Creative Nonfiction are awarded annually to original manuscripts: two books of poetry, one work of creative nonfiction, one short story collection, and one novel. The University of Massachusetts Press publishes the winning manuscripts and the authors receive a $1,000 award upon publication. Submissions are accepted between August 1 and September 30.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication by University of Massachusetts Press
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $30
Deadline: September 30, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Poetry, Short Story
View contestEdwin 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, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contest"Matter" Anthology Poetry Contest
Oprelle
Oprelle's monthly poetry contest is for all of you out there who carry a scrappy notebook full of poems. Your soul is on that paper, and your words matter. Your poem, based on that month's theme, can be simple and uplifting, or complicated and metaphorical; any style works, if you follow the rules and write 14 or less lines. Oh, and make sure your poetry is 100% original. We will consider both published and unpublished poems.
Top prize
$200
Additional prizes
Publication in Matter Anthology
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: December 31, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestThe Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poetry
African Poetry Book Fund
The Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poetry is awarded annually to an African poet who has not yet published a collection of poetry. Along with $1,000, the winner recives book publication through the University of Nebraska Press and Amalion Press in Senegal. Poetry manuscripts should be at least 50 pages long. [Submissions open September 15, 2021]
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Book publication through the University of Nebraska Press and Amalion Press in Senegal
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: December 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestLighthouse Poetry Series
Cleveland State University Poetry Center
The Cleveland State University Poetry Center welcomes submissions for the Lighthouse Poetry Series. The Lighthouse Poetry Series publishes contemporary poetry from poets with any history of publication. The winner will receive $1,000, publication, and a standard royalty contract. This year’s contest will be judged by Randall Mann.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Royalty contract
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $28
Deadline: March 31, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestRattle Poetry Prize
Rattle
The annual Rattle Poetry Prize offers $15,000 for a single poem to be published in the winter issue of the magazine. Ten finalists will also receive $500 each and publication, and be eligible for the $5,000 Readers’ Choice Award, to be selected by subscriber and entrant vote.
Top prize
$15,000
Additional prizes
Published in the Winter 2020 issue of Rattle
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: July 15, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestSFPA 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
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $3
Deadline: August 31, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry, Fiction
View contestWomen's National Book Association Writing Contest
Women's National Book Association
Do you want to show the world your writing? Then enter the 2020 WNBA Writing Contest! You can enter your work in four categories: fiction, creative nonfiction, flash prose, and poetry.
Top prize
$250
Additional prizes
Publishication in an anthology
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: December 01, 2020 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story
View contestThe Milt Kessler Poetry Award
Binghamton University
$1,000 Award for a book of poems written in English, 48 pages or more in length, selected by our judges as the strongest collection of poems published in 2019.
Top prize
$1,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: February 01, 2020 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestDartmouth Poet-In-Residence Award
Frost Place
The aim of this program is to select a poet who is at an artistic and personal crossroads, comparable to that faced by Robert Frost when he moved to Franconia in 1915, when he was not yet known to a broad public.
Top prize
$2,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $28
Deadline: January 05, 2019 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contest
