Independent & University Press Contests for Fiction Writers That Offer Book Publication as the Prize
/[Note: This is an updated and expanded version of an article I originally wrote in January 2024 called Twelve Contests From Independent & University Presses That Offer Book Publication as the Prize.]
If you’re a fiction writer interested in traditional book publishing, you’re probably aware of how challenging this road can be, especially since having an agent is generally a prerequisite. But not all publishers limit themselves to agented submissions. In fact, several independent and university presses welcome submissions directly from authors, whether through open reading periods or through contests.
Here is a list of publishers that don’t just accept unsolicited submissions; they also offer what I think is the best prize of all: publication of your work in book form. Although most charge a submissions fee, they also provide authors with an advance and/or cash award in addition to publication. Some of the publishers’ contests are geared toward specific groups (women, immigrants, veterans, or residents of certain regions), while others simply specify that the manuscript should be written in English. Some prioritize unpublished and/or unagented writers, while others are open to all writers regardless of publication history. Some name their judge, while others review submissions blindly. All this said, please read each contest’s guidelines carefully.
Inspiration: I put this list together because many of my traditional publishing bound writer clients have struggled with landing (and keeping) an agent, and I wanted to help them find an alternate route to publication. When I started noticing that several small presses and university presses are open to submissions via competitions, I began to compile them.
Methodology: Last year, I did most of my research through Poets & Writers’s incredibly helpful Writing Contests, Grants & Awards database and included on my list just four university press contests that I happened to notice. This year, I decided to scour through the websites of numerous members of the Association of University Presses, and I was delighted to discover that many of them accept fiction via competitions or series.
Updates: All the publishers mentioned on last year’s list appear again on this year’s list with the exception of Southeast Missouri State University’s Nilsen Prize (because this project is permanently closed). This year, I noticed that a number of publishers have new guidelines specifying that AI-generated or AI-supported works are not accepted, but in the interest of keeping my descriptions succinct, I did not reference this language in my write-up below.
Structure: I’ve organized the list below by publisher type (one section for small presses and one section for university presses) and listed each entry in alphabetical order (rather than by date order according to contest deadlines). Unfortunately, some submissions windows ended in late January (I really tried to finish the article before then…), but there is still time to submit to prizes that close in mid- or late-February. If you miss the deadline, you might still be able to submit to these presses outside of their contest parameters.
Audience: This particular list is intended for writers of adult fiction, mainly novelists, but as you’ll see, many of the publishers mentioned below also hold competitions for creative non-fiction and poetry writers. Although I specialize in middle grade and young adult fiction (in addition to adult fiction), I didn’t include contests for children’s and YA books because the only one I’m familiar with in the U.S. is the excellent Lee & Low/Tu Books New Visions Award (I was once a judge for this contest, many years ago). I didn’t include competitions from presses outside of the U.S., either; although I came across several sponsored by Canada and U.K.-based publishers, these contests tend to prioritize their own country’s writers, understandably so.
A few more notes: I have no affiliation with any of the publishers on this list, past or present. I quoted exact wording from their websites as much as possible, but in some cases I made minor grammatical and stylistic changes.
Final advice: Judging from the information I’ve gathered online, all the contests on this list look to be legitimate, and their submissions fees seem reasonable. Still, I encourage you to do your due diligence and double check my research, which will quickly go out of date as rules, requirements, and websites are updated. Also have a look at Writers Beware, which explains how to assess contests and awards.
If you would like feedback on your project before submitting to these contests, please visit the editorial services page of my website to find out how I can help. And best wishes with your project!
Small Press Contests:
Description of publisher: “Autumn House Press is a nonprofit, literary publisher based in Pittsburgh, PA. We publish full-length collections of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.”
Description of prize: The Autumn House Fiction Prize winner “will receive book publication, a $1,000 honorarium, and a $1,500 travel/publicity grant to promote their book.” “The final judge is Alexandra Kleeman.”
Eligibility & guidelines: “Fiction submissions should be approximately 150–300 double-spaced pages… All fiction sub-genres (short stories, short-shorts, novellas, or novels) or any combination of sub-genres are eligible… The book should be previously unpublished. However, individual pieces may have been published in journals, magazines, or anthologies.” Fee: $35.
Submissions window: January 1–February 28, 2025
Additional notes: Although their open-call reading period is on hiatus “for the foreseeable future,” Autumn House Press holds contests for several other prizes: the CAAPP Prize in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh “with the goal of publishing and promoting a writer of African descent,” two other poetry prizes, a nonfiction prize, and a Rising Writer Prize (which alternates between fiction and poetry and appears to be for poetry for 2025 submissions).
Description of the publisher: “Black Lawrence Press is an independent publisher of contemporary poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. We also publish the occasional translation from German.”
Description of Prize: “The Big Moose Prize for an unpublished novel…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.”
Eligibility & guidelines: “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.” Fee: unspecified, as the deadline has now passed.
Submissions window: November 1, 2024–January 31, 2025
Additional notes: During their open reading periods in June and November, Black Lawrence Press accepts novels, novellas, and more. Submissions to their Immigrant Writing Series (for “a book manuscript of poetry or prose or a hybrid text”) are reviewed during this period. The press also offers prizes for poetry, prose, and/or hybrid texts.
Description of publisher: “Dzanc publishes innovative and award-winning literary fiction and nonfiction, including short story collections and novels by accomplished and award-winning writers.”
Description of prize: “The Dzanc Books Prize for Fiction recognizes daring, original, and innovative novels… A $5,000 advance and publication by Dzanc Books will be awarded to the winner.”
Eligibility & guidelines: Submissions by “new, upcoming, and established writers alike” are accepted. “Agented submissions are also eligible,” along with “previously unpublished novel-length manuscripts (generally over 40,000 words).” Genre fiction, children's books, YA, and self-published titles are not accepted. Fee: $25
Submissions window: March 1–September 30, 2025
Additional notes: Dzanc’s open submissions period is March 1–September 1 for literary fiction and nonfiction. Dzanc also holds contests for two other prizes: one for a short story collection and one for a nonfiction collection.
Description of publisher: “Hub City Press is the South’s premier independent literary press.
Focused on finding and spotlighting extraordinary new and unsung writers from the American South, our curated list champions diverse authors and books that don’t fit into the commercial publishing landscape.”
Description of prize: “The South Carolina Novel Series publishes a novel by a South Carolina writer biennially. Writers selected for publication in this series are awarded $1,500 and book publication, including marketing and tour support from Hub City Press and the series partners.”
Eligibility & guidelines: “The series is open to writers of all levels who have lived in South Carolina for at least one year prior to submission of their manuscript.” Fee: Unspecified, but fees for other submissions opportunities listed on Hub City’s website are $25.
Submissions window: N/A (it doesn’t look like the contest/series is accepting submissions in 2025)
Additional notes: Hub City also offers other prizes: a short story book prize (for which the winner receives $5,000 and book publication), a poetry book prize and poetry series, fellowships, and workshops. In addition, Hub City has an open submissions period in March, June, September, and December, though literary agents may submit queries at any time. “Please take a look at this letter from Executive Director Meg Reid on what we are looking for during open queries.”
Description of publisher: “The Inlandia Institute is a literary nonprofit and publishing house based in Inland Southern California dedicated to celebrating the region in word, image, and sound.”
Description of prize: “The Eliud Martínez Prize was established to honor the memory of Eliud Martínez (1935–2020), artist, novelist, and professor emeritus of creative writing at the University of California, Riverside. One prize of $1,000 and book publication through Inlandia Books will be awarded for a book of fiction or creative nonfiction.”
Eligibility & guidelines: “Submissions accepted only from writers who identify as Hispanic, Latino/a/e/x, or Chicana/o/x.” “Manuscripts can be fiction or creative nonfiction, including memoir, essays, stories, and multi-genre or hybrid works.” Length: 150 to 300 typed pages. Fee: Unspecified, as the deadline has now passed.
Submissions window: November 1–January 31 of each year
Additional information: Although the Inlandia Institute doesn’t look to have an open submissions period for book manuscripts, they publish two issues of their online literary journal per year and an annual anthology per the Submissions page. They also hold a poetry contest, a Blacklandia series of events, and workshops. Also see the Inlandia Books page and “know that we offer traditional publishing contracts with reasonable publishing timelines.”
Description of publisher: “New American Press is an independent literary publisher committed to bringing readers the best in contemporary fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and translations from across the United States and around the world… We publish between three and five full-length books each year, including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and translated works.”
Description of prize: The New American Fiction Prize “is awarded each year to a full-length fiction manuscript, such as a story collection, novel, novella(s), or something that blends forms, like a novel in verse. The winner receives $1,500 and a book contract, as well as 25 author's copies and promotional support.”
Eligibility & guidelines: None indicated (the submissions window has not yet opened)
Submissions window: “usually February 15–June 15”
Additional information: New American Press also awards a poetry prize and publishes biannual New Poetry and Fiction from the Midwest anthologies to “bring more visibility to the flourishing crop of Midwestern writers who consistently produce work that is innovative.” Per their Submissions page, they “do not regularly accept unsolicited manuscripts, but queries are welcome.”
Description of the publisher: Established in 1994, “Red Hen Press is an independent, nonprofit press that publishes about twenty books of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry every year. We’re looking for novels, memoir, creative nonfiction, hybrid works, and story, essay, and poetry collections of exceptional literary merit that demonstrate a high level of mastery.”
Description of prize: The Cai Emmons Fiction Award was established “to honor the life and enduring legacy of beloved novelist Cai Emmons, who published three novels through Red Hen Press.” The winner receives $5,000 and publication by Red Hen Press. The judge is E.P. Tuazon.
Eligibility & guidelines: This award is for “a fresh and original story of fiction with a minimum of 150 pages” and is “open to all authors.” Fee: $25.
Submissions window: Closed on January 15, 2025
Description of prize: The Women’s Prose Prize was established in 2018 and awards $1,000 and book publication to the winner. The judge is Alyssa Graybeal.
Eligibility & guidelines: This prize is for “a previously unpublished (including self-published works), original work of prose. Novels, short story collections, memoirs, essay collections, and all other forms of prose writing are eligible for consideration.” The annual competition “is open to all writers who identify as women.” Length: 25,000 words minimum, 80,000 words maximum. Fee: $25.
Submissions window: Open until February 28, 2025
Description of prize: “Founded in 2020 in partnership with Red Hen Press and the Peauxdunque Writers Alliance, the Ann Petry Award seeks to publish prose literature by Black authors.” The winner receives $3,000 and publication by Red Hen Press. This year’s judge has not yet been announced, but last year’s was Deesha Philyaw.
Eligibility & guidelines: This prize is for “a work of previously unpublished prose, either a novel or a collection of short stories or novellas, with a 25,000-word minimum” and open to “all Black writers with the following exceptions” (see awards page). Fee: not specified.
Submissions window: Open until March 31, 2025.
Additional notes: Per their Awards page, Red Hen Press also has a Quill Prose Award for “prose (fiction or nonfiction) by a queer writer only” and a poetry award, along with a series of awards through the Los Angeles Review. In addition, they accept general submissions, but see the guidelines and “please expect a response time of three to twelve months.”
Description of publisher: “Regal House is a traditional independent press dedicated, in collaborative effort with its authors, to the furtherance of finely crafted literature for adult, young adult, and middle grade readers.”
Description of prize: The winner of the Fugere Book Prize which “recognizes finely crafted novellas…receives $1000 and publication.”
Eligibility & guidelines: “Minimum of 17,000 words, maximum of 40,000 words.” Fee: $25.
Submissions window: Opens February 15, 2025
Description of prize: The winner of the Petrichor Prize which “recognizes finely crafted fiction…receives $1000 and publication.”
Eligibility & guidelines: “Minimum of 100 pages, maximum of 350 pages.” Fee: $25.
Submissions window: April 15–July 15, 2025
Additional notes: Regal House also awards prizes for short story collections and poetry collections. Their Fitzroy Books imprint, “publishing finely crafted works of Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction,” is “open for submissions from authors and literary agents”; another imprint, House of Kel, which focuses on science fiction, fantasy, and romantasy, is also open, though it doesn’t look like any of their imprints accepts submissions during their contest window for the Petrichor Prize.
Description of publisher: “Restless Books is an independent, nonprofit publisher devoted to championing essential voices from around the world… We seek extraordinary international literature for adults and young readers that feeds our restlessness.”
Description of the prize: “The Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing was created in 2015 to honor outstanding debut literary works by first-generation immigrants…. The winner receives $10,000, a writing residency from Millay Arts, and publication by Restless Books. Beginning in 2025, the prize will no longer alternate between fiction and nonfiction, but will accept submissions in both genres every year.”
Eligibility & guidelines: “All manuscripts in fiction and nonfiction must be complete and full-length… Candidates must be first-generation residents of their country…[and] must not have previously published a book-length work in English in the genre in which they’re applying.” Fee: $20, but “please do not hesitate to contact us if this presents a hardship for you.”
Submissions window: January 1–May 31, 2025
Additional notes: Per their FAQ, “Restless does not accept unsolicited submissions outside of the Prize for New Immigrant Writing unless submitted by an agent.” However, Restless Books has an imprint for young readers, Yonder; a series of classics; and a nonfiction series.
Santa Fe Writers Project (SFWP)
Description of publisher: “SFWP is an independent press founded in 1998 by Andrew Gifford. We publish exciting fiction and creative nonfiction of every genre, maintain an online literary journal, and run an annual internationally recognized Awards Program.”
Description of prize: “The grand prize [for the SFWP Awards] will be $1500. Two runner ups will be selected, each receiving $500. A competitive publishing contract will be offered, but winners are not required to accept. The prize amount will be paid out regardless.” “Deesha Philyaw will be the judge.”
Eligibility & guidelines: “We publish in English, but the contest is open to writers from anywhere in the world.” “We are seeking fiction and creative nonfiction of every genre.” “Unpublished work, self-published work, and work from small or micro-presses that has not received marketing support will be eligible.” Fee: $30
Submissions window: Opens March 1, 2025
Additional notes: Per the SFWP Contact & Submission Info page, “Manuscript submissions are currently closed. The SFWP Journal is accepting submissions.”
Description of the publisher: “Sarabande Books is an award-winning, internationally-distributed, nonprofit, independent literary publishing house founded in 1994 in Louisville, Kentucky…[that] champions innovative voices in poetry, short fiction, essay, and literature in translation.”
Description of prize: “The Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction is awarded annually to one full-length manuscript of literary fiction: short stories, flash fiction, or novellas in any combination. The prize includes $2,000, publication of the work, a standard royalty contract, and an introduction written by the guest judge.” The 2025 judge looks to be Ed Park.
Eligibility & guidelines: “This contest is open to any short fiction writer of English… Agented manuscripts are not eligible. Submissions may include a collection of short stories, one or more novellas, or a short novel…between 150-250 pages.” Fee: $34.
Submissions window: January 1–February 15, 2025
Additional notes: Sarabande also offers essay and poetry prizes, as well as a new chapbook prize that will open to submissions in September 2025. It appears that their open submissions period for short fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and translation submissions is July 1–31 of each year.
Description of publisher: “Schaffner Press is an independent publishing company based in Tucson, AZ which focuses on books of high literary quality and topics of social concern.” “Founded in 2001, the press is independently owned and managed by former literary agent Timothy Schaffner and publishes between 6-8 books a year.
Description of prize: “The Nicholas Schaffner Award for Music in Literature will be given to the writer of an unpublished manuscript who submits a literary work in the English language, either fiction, poetry or non-fiction (i.e., memoir, autobiography, or essay collection) that deals in some way with the subject of music (of any genre and period) and its influence.”
Eligibility & guidelines: “Novels: 75,000-100,000 words in length, double-spaced. Short Fiction Collection: Only a collection of stories between 50,000-80,000 words will be considered.” Poetry and non-fiction are also accepted. Fee: $25.
Submissions window: “The 2024 Nicholas Schaffner Awards are now closed to submissions.” (According to the press’s Twitter/X account, submissions were accepted until the end of January.)
Additional notes: Per their Submissions Guidelines, Schaffner Press accepts “literary adult fiction, short fiction collection, historical with socially relevant content, crime fiction” manuscripts between 60,000–100,000 words. They do not accept children’s or young adult fiction, non-fiction, science fiction, romance, or fantasy.
University Press Contests:
Ohio State University Press / Mad Creek Books
Description of publisher: “The Ohio State University Press was established in 1957 and currently publishes 50-60 new books a year.” “Mad Creek Books is the literary and trade imprint of The Ohio State University Press. With a mission to foster creativity, innovate, and illuminate, Mad Creek Books champions diverse and creative literary writing.”
Description of prize: The winner of the Grace Paley Prize for Short Fiction, held in partnership with the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP), receives publication by Mad Creek Books and $5,500. The 2025 judge is Kevin Wilson.
Eligibility & guidelines: Per the AWP Award Series overview, only book-length manuscripts are eligible (at least 60,000 and no more than 110,000 words for a novel). Poetry, short story collections, and creative nonfiction are also accepted. Fee: $30 for nonmembers; $20 for AWP members.
Submissions window: January 1–February 28, 2025
Description of prize: “The Journal, the literary magazine of The Ohio State University MFA Program in Creative Writing, selects one booklength collection of short prose each year.” The Journal Non/Fiction Prize “carries a cash award of $1500 and publication by The Ohio State University Press Mad Creek Books Imprint under its standard contract.” “The winning entry will be chosen by Michelle Herman.”
Eligibility & guidelines: “The award is open to writers of fiction and creative nonfiction, whether or not they have previously published a book.” “Eligible submissions include an unpublished manuscript of short stories or essays; two or more novellas or novella-length essays” or a combination thereof. Length: “no fewer than 150 and no more than 350 typed double-spaced pages.” Fee: “$23 entry fee, or $11.50 for BIPOC writers.”
Submissions window: February 1–March 11 (presumably of each year)
Additional notes: Although “there are presently no open calls for submission,” Mad Creek Books, which “champions diverse and creative literary nonfiction, fiction, and poetry,” is home to several other prizes and series publications.
Description of publisher: Now entering their eighth decade of academic publishing, Syracuse University Press is “committed to serving New York State—as well as the region, nation, and globe—by publishing vital scholarship, sharing ideas, and giving voice to important stories that may not have otherwise been told.”
Description of prize: “The mission of the Veterans Writing Award is to recognize the contributions of veterans to the literary arts, shine a light on the multivalent veteran experience, and provide a platform for unrecognized military writers.” This is a biennial contest that alternates between fiction and nonfiction, and “the award includes a $1,000 cash prize and a publication contract with Syracuse University Press.”
Eligibility & guidelines: “The award is open to U.S. veterans and active-duty personnel in any branch of the U.S. military and their immediate family members.” “We encourage women veteran writers, veterans of color, Native American veterans, LGBTQ veterans, and those who identify as having a disability to submit” a “full-length novel, novella, or collection of short stories in manuscript form” of up to 90,000 words. “There is no entry fee.”
Submissions window: November 15, 2024–February 15, 2025
Additional notes: According to their Submissions Guidelines page, Syracuse University Press asks prospective authors to review the subject areas in which they publish before proposing new book projects, adding, “We are not currently considering memoirs, and consider fiction and poetry only very selectively.”
TRP: The University Press of SHSU (Texas Review Press)
Description of publisher: “Founded in 1979, TRP: The University Press of SHSU (Texas Review Press) is committed to publishing quality poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and scholarship. TRP currently publishes between fifteen and twenty-five titles each year.”
Description of prize: “Established in 2001, The Clay Reynolds Novella Prize highlights one book a year that excels in the novella format. Since 2024, the Prize comes with a $1,000 advance, a standard royalty contract, and 10 copies of the published book.” The 2025 judge is Fatimah Asghar.
Eligibility & guidelines: “Open to anyone writing in English. Translations are not eligible. Excerpts may have been published individually in magazines or anthologies, but the work as a whole must be unpublished… Novella manuscripts should have a total word count of between 20,000 and 50,000 words.” Fee: $20.
Submissions window: January 1–March 31 of each year
Description of prize: “Established in 1998, The George Garrett Fiction Prize highlights one book a year for excellence in a short story collection or novel. Starting 2024, the Prize comes with a $2,000 advance, a standard royalty contract, and 10 copies of the published book.” The2025 judge has not yet been announced, but the 2024 judge was Kaveh Akbar.
Eligibility & guidelines: “Open to anyone writing in English. Translations are not eligible. Stories or excerpts may have been published individually in magazines or anthologies, but the collection as a whole must be unpublished… Manuscripts may be novels or short story collections with a total word count of between 40,000 and 100,000 words.” Fee: $28.
Submissions window: July 1–September 30 of each year
Additional notes: Per their Submissions page, “TRP does not accept unsolicited submissions via mail or email. We only consider manuscripts submitted through Submittable to our Open Reading Period [April 1-April 30 of each year], Contests [those noted above, plus a chapbook contest and a poetry contest], and Series [several].”
University of Alabama Press/Fiction Collective Two
Description of publisher: “As the scholarly publishing arm of the university, The University of Alabama Press serves as an agent in the advancement of learning and the dissemination of scholarship” and publishes “between 80 to 85 books a year.” Fiction Collective Two, an imprint of the University of Alabama Press “is a small, not-for-profit publisher run by authors. FC2 is a hub for artistically adventurous, non-traditional fiction.”
Description of prize: Submissions to the FC2 Ronald Sukenick Innovative Fiction Contest “may include a collection of short stories, one or more novellas, or a novel. There is no length requirement… The Prize includes $1,500 and publication by FC2.”
Eligibility & guidelines: The prize is “open to writers of, from, or in the United States writing in English who have not previously published with FC2.” “We encourage submissions from writers who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, disabled, LGBTQIA+-identifying, immigrant, or from communities otherwise underrepresented in United States literary publications.” Fee: not specified.
Submissions window: “Submissions for the 2026 contest will open on 15 August 2025.”
Description of prize: Submission to the FC2 Catherine Doctorow Innovative Fiction Prize “may include a collection of short stories, one or more novellas, or a novel. There is no length requirement… The Prize includes $15,000 and publication by FC2.”
Eligibility & guidelines: The prize is “open to writers of, from, or in the United States writing in English with at least three books of fiction published.” Also see above.
Submissions window: “Submissions for the 2026 contest will open on 15 August 2025.”
Additional notes: “The University of Alabama Press welcomes book proposals for scholarly and trade manuscripts that fit within our publishing program,” and it looks like they publish some fiction. However, “FC2 does not accept general submissions outside of our two annual manuscript contests.”
Description of publisher: “The University of Georgia Press is the oldest and largest book publisher in the state. We currently publish 70 new books a year and have a long history of publishing significant scholarship, creative and literary works, and books about the state and the region for general readers.”
Description of prize: The Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction/series “was established to encourage gifted emerging writers by bringing their work to a national readership.” “The author of the winning manuscript receives a cash award of $1,000, and the collection is subsequently published by the University of Georgia Press under a standard book contract.”
Eligibility & guidelines: “The competition is open to writers in English, whether published or unpublished.” “Manuscripts should be double-spaced and 40,000-75,000 words in length… The award recognizes outstanding collections of short fiction [which] may include long stories or novellas… However, novels or single novellas will not be considered.” Fee: $30.
Submissions window: April 1–May 31 of each year
Additional notes: Prospective authors are encouraged to follow these links. In addition to the Flannery O’Connor Prize, the University of Georgia Press holds contests for several poetry prizes, as well as their Sue William Silverman Prize for Creative Nonfiction ($2,500 and publication by the University of Georgia Press, judged by Cheryl Strayed) in partnership with AWP.
Description of publisher: “Established in 1969, the University of Iowa Press is a well-regarded academic publisher serving scholars, students, and readers throughout the world with works of poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction [and is] dedicated to preserving the literature, history, culture, wildlife, and natural areas of the Midwest.”
Description of prize: “The Iowa Short Fiction Award and the John Simmons Short Fiction Award are annual prizes given to two collections of stories by emerging short fiction writers, which are then published by the University of Iowa Press.” The Iowa Short Fiction Award has been presented annually since 1969. The John Simmons Short Fiction Award—named after the first director of the Press—was instituted in 1998. Margot Livesey will judge this year's awards.
Eligibility & guidelines: “Any writer who has not previously published a volume of prose fiction is eligible to enter the competition…The manuscript must be a collection of short stories in English of at least 150 word-processed, double-spaced pages.” Fee: not specified.
Submissions window: August 1–September 30, 2025
Additional notes: It looks like both the Iowa and John Simmons short fiction awards have the same requirements. The University of Iowa Press also has an annual poetry prize, and per their “Submit a Proposal” page, is seeking proposals in fiction.
Description of publisher: “The University Press of Kentucky has a dual mission—the publication of academic books of high scholarly merit in a variety of fields and the publication of significant books about the history and culture of Kentucky, the Ohio Valley region, the Upper South, and Appalachia.”
Description of prize: The goal of Screen Door Press “is to publish thought-provoking books that use relatable characters, strong narratives, and beautiful language to champion diverse views from throughout the Black diaspora.” “Two authors will each receive a publishing contract and a $5,000 prize.” Crystal Wilkinson is the series editor.
Eligibility & guidelines: (No other information is available at this time)
Submissions window: March 1–April 15, 2025
Additional notes: “Unagented fiction and poetry submissions are only accepted through New Poetry and Prose and Screen Door Press.” (Technically, both are imprints of the University Press of Kentucky, not prizes.) For their New Poetry and Prose series, the press “seeks manuscripts of contemporary poetry and fiction that exhibit a profound attention to language…and awareness of one’s literary roots.” Submissions for this series will be accepted starting May 1, 2025.
University of Massachusetts Press
Description of publisher: “Founded in 1963, the University of Massachusetts Press publishes scholarship, literature, and books for general readers that reflect the quality and diversity of intellectual life on our campuses, in our region, and around the world.”
Description of prize: “The Juniper Prize for Fiction is awarded annually to two original manuscripts of fiction: one short story collection and one novel. The University of Massachusetts Press publishes the winning manuscript, and the authors receive a $1,000 award upon publication.”
Eligibility & guidelines: “The competition is open to all writers in English, whether or not they are U.S. residents.” “Both novels and collections of stories are eligible.” “Manuscripts must be between 55,000 and 75,000 words.” Fee: $30.
Submissions window: August 1–September 30 of each year
Additional notes: Per their Guidelines for Authors page, the University of Massachusetts Press
considers “fiction and poetry only through our annual Juniper Literary Prizes” (three prizes total, for fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry). The prizes are named for Fort Juniper, “the house that the poet Robert Francis (1901–1987) built by hand in the woods of western Massachusetts.”
Description of publisher: “The University of Nebraska Press, founded in 1941, is the largest university press between Chicago and California. It publishes scholarly and general-interest books (with more than 5,000 titles in print and an additional 150 new titles released each year).”
Description of prize: “The James Alan McPherson Prize for the Novel honors James Alan McPherson, the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and a beloved teacher, humanitarian, and mentor to countless writers at the University of Iowa’s Writers’ Workshop.” The McPherson endowment “provides funding for a $5,500 cash prize and publication by the University of Nebraska Press.”
Eligibility & guidelines: Held in partnership with AWP, the prize “is available to published and unpublished authors alike.” Per the AWP Award Series overview, only book-length manuscripts are eligible (at least 60,000 and no more than 110,000 words for a novel). Poetry, short story collections, and creative nonfiction are also accepted. Fee: $30 for nonmembers; $20 for AWP members.
Submissions window: January 1–February 28, 2025
Description of prize: Prairie Schooner Raz-Shumaker Book Prize winners “receive $3000 and publication through the University of Nebraska Press.” (“Prairie Schooner, a national literary quarterly… is home to the best fiction, poetry, essays, and reviews being published today by beginning, mid-career, and established writers.”)
Eligibility & guidelines: “Both unpublished and published writers are welcome to submit manuscripts.” “We prefer that fiction manuscripts be at least 150 pages long… Novels are not considered; we will consider manuscripts comprised either entirely of short stories or one novella along with short stories.” Fee: $25
Submissions window: January 15–March 15, 2025
Additional notes: From November 1 to April 1 each year, the University of Nebraska Press’s Zero Street Fiction Series “invites submissions of novels and short story collections, from LGBTQ+ authors new and established, that feature LGBTQ+ characters and/or themes.” The press also offers a poetry prize.
University of New Orleans Press
Description of publisher: “Founded in 2003, the University of New Orleans Press is a nonprofit book publisher stemming from the rich cultural tradition of New Orleans and its surrounding region. We seek literature inspired by this tradition, as well as work that contributes to the intellectual and aesthetic life of academic and general audiences everywhere.”
Description of the prize: The Publishing Laboratory at the press is “looking for the best unpublished novel or short story collection… The selected author will receive a ten thousand dollar ($10,000) advance on royalties and a contract to publish with the University of New Orleans Press.”
Eligibility & guidelines: “The work does not have to be regionally focused. There is no word limit. There is no restriction on subjects covered. The contest is open to all authors from around the world, regardless of publishing history. Works of fiction (novels and short story collections) only.” Fee: $28
Submissions window: March 1–August 31 of each year
Additional notes: “The University of New Orleans Press publishes fiction, nonfiction, and academic work with a focus on, but not limited to, the Southeastern region of the United States.” Per their Submissions page, the press accepts book proposals but “take 6 to 8 months to review new submissions.”
University of North Texas Press
Description of publisher: “The University of North Texas Press was founded in 1987 and published its first book in 1989. Though we are the newest university press in North Texas (following SMU Press and TCU Press), we have quickly become a leading press with the most titles in print and published (approximately 20-25 each year).”
Description of prize: The winner of the 2026 Katherine Anne Porter Prize in Short Fiction “will receive $1000 and publication by UNT Press. Entries will be judged by an eminent writer.”
Eligibility & guidelines: “Entries must be a collection of any combination of flash fiction, short stories, or novellas, from 100 to 200 book pages in length (word count between 27,500 and 50,000). Material should be previously unpublished in book form” though “stories included in the submission may have appeared previously in magazines or anthologies.” Fee: $25
Submissions window: May 1–June 30, 2025
Additional notes: UNT is also home to a poetry prize. Per their Information for Potential Authors page, “Submissions in poetry and fiction are invited only through the Vassar Miller Prize in Poetry and Katherine Anne Porter Prize in Short Fiction competitions.”
University of Pittsburgh Press
Description of publisher: “The University of Pittsburgh Press is a publisher with distinguished lists in a wide range of scholarly and cultural fields. We publish books for general readers, scholars, and students.”
Description of prize: “The Drue Heinz Literature Prize recognizes and supports writers of short fiction and makes their work available to readers around the world.” “Manuscripts are judged anonymously by nationally known writers… Winners receive a cash prize of $15,000, publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press, and support in the nation-wide promotion of their book.”
Eligibility & guidelines: “The award is open to authors who have published a book-length collection of fiction or at least three short stories or novellas in commercial magazines or literary journals or at least three short stories or novellas in commercial magazines or literary journals.” Fee: not specified.
Submissions window: May 1–June 30 (presumably of each year)
Additional notes: Although it is unclear if the University of Pittsburgh Press accepts fiction manuscripts outside of their Drue Heinz Literature Prize, the press holds contests for three poetry prizes, including the Donald Hall Prize for Poetry ($5,500, publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press, judged by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers) in partnership with AWP.