Twelve Contests From Independent & University Presses That Offer Book Publication as the Prize
/If you’ve been querying agents for a while, you know that finding representation can be more challenging than finding a publisher. You’ve likely been searching for an agent because most publishers, namely corporate publishers that can offer authors a substantial advance against royalties, don’t generally accept unagented submissions. But 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. Some include an advance and/or cash award in addition to publication. Some name their judge, while others review submissions blindly. Some are geared toward specific groups (women or immigrants or residents of certain regions). Some are open only to unpublished and/or unagented writers, while others are open to all writers regardless of publication history. All this said, see each publisher’s guidelines and eligibility requirements. I’ve compiled this list in alphabetical order, but keep in mind that a few submissions windows are closing later this month or in February. However, if you miss the deadline, you might still be able to submit to these presses outside of their contest parameters.
Please note that this particular list is intended for writers of adult fiction, but some of the publishers mentioned below also hold contests for non-fiction and poetry writers. I didn’t include contests for children’s and young adult books because the only one I’m familiar with that offers a publishing contract as the prize, the excellent Lee & Low/Tu Books New Visions Award, is currently on hiatus. I didn’t include competitions from presses outside of the U.S., either, because some of them prioritize their own country’s writers, understandably so. Four university presses are named below, but I’m guessing there are others that offer competitions for fiction (in addition to scholarly) writers. If any come to mind, please let me know.
Also note that I haven’t worked with any of the presses on this list, nor do I have any other connections with them. But judging from the information I’ve gathered online, starting my research with Poets & Writers, they seem legitimate, including their submissions fees. Still, I encourage you to do your due diligence and research each publishing company. Also consult Writers Beware, which explains how to assess contests and awards.
If you decide to enter, be sure to follow the submissions guidelines, and best of luck!
Description of publisher: “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 Kristen Arnett.”
Eligibility & guidelines: “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.”
Submissions window: January 1–February 29, 2024
Description of the publisher: “Black Lawrence Press is an independent publisher of contemporary poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction.”
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.”
Submissions window: November 1, 2023–January 31, 2024
Description of publisher: “Dzanc publishers 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: Accepts submissions by “new, upcoming, and established writers alike. Agented submissions are also eligible.” “Previously unpublished novel-length manuscripts (generally over 40,000 words)…qualify.” “Genre fiction…children's books, and YA,” and self-published books are not accepted.
Submissions window: February 1–September 30, 2024
Description of publisher: “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: “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, as well as placement in all South Carolina state libraries and readings/events.”
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.”
Submissions window: November 1, 2023 –February 15, 2024
Description of the publisher: “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 the prize: The Women’s Prose Prize was “established in 2015 to publish an original work of fiction… Award: $1000 + book publication.” Judge is Laila Halaby.
Eligibility & guidelines: “For previously unpublished, original work of prose. Novels, short story collections, memoirs, essay collections, and all other forms of prose writing are eligible…open to all writers who identify as women.” Length: 25,000-80,000 words.
Submissions window: Open until February 28, 2024
Additional notes: Red Hen Press’s Cai Emmons Fiction Award is for a “fresh and original story of fiction with a minimum of 150 pages,” and the winner receives $5000 and book publication, but the deadline just passed.
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 the prize: The winner of the “Fugere Book Prize [which] recognizes finely crafted novellas…receives $1000 and publication.” The winner of the “Petrichor Prize [which] recognizes finely crafted fiction…receives $1000 and publication.”
Eligibility & guidelines: For the Fugere Prize, “Minimum of 17,000 words, maximum of 40,000 words.” For the Petrichor Prize, “Minimum of 100 pages, maximum of 350 pages.”
Submissions window: Fugere Prize: February 15–May 15, 2024. Petrichor Prize: April 15–July 15, 2024
Additional notes: In the past, Regal House has held contests for middle grade fiction and young adult fiction, but sadly, these have come to a close.
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, awarded for fiction and nonfiction in alternating years. The winner receives $10,000 and publication by Restless Books.” (The 2024 prize is for fiction.)
Eligibility & guidelines: “The submission should address some combination of identity, the meeting of cultures and communities, immigration and migration, and today’s globalized society… Fiction manuscripts must be complete… Candidates must be first-generation residents of their country [and] must not have previously published a book-length work.”
Submissions window: January 1– May 31, 2024
Description of the publisher: “Sarabande Books is a nonprofit literary press founded in Louisville, Kentucky… to champion poetry, fiction, and essay…we are committed to creating lasting editions that honor exceptional writing.”
Description of prize: The Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction: “In celebration of Sarabande’s 30th anniversary, we are pleased to offer an increased prize in the amount of $3,000, as well as publication of the manuscript and a standard royalty contract.” Judge is Lauren Groff.
Eligibility & guidelines: “Agented manuscripts are not eligible. Submissions may include a collection of short stories, one or more novellas, or a short novel…between 100-250 pages.”
Submissions deadline: January 1–February 15, 2024
Notes: Like Hub City, Sarabande also offers a regional series (for writers and projects with ties to Kentucky), but it doesn’t look like this series is a contest that includes publication.
Southeast Missouri State University Press
Description of publisher: “Southeast Missouri State University Press, founded in 2001, serves both as a first-rate publisher in our underpublished region and as a working laboratory for students interested in learning the art and skills of literary publishing.”
Description of prize: The winner of the Nilsen Literary for a First Novel receives “$2,000 and publication by Southeast Missouri State University Press.” The contest takes place “every other year (on even numbered years), rotating with our Cowles Poetry Book Prize.”
Eligibility & guidelines: “Submissions must be previously unpublished novels, novellas, or collections of closely linked short stories. Manuscripts that have been self-published or published online will not be accepted. Open to English-writing, U.S. residents who have not yet published a novel.”
Submissions window: “Will reopen soon for November 2024 deadline.”
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 manuscripts and the authors receive a $1,000 award upon publication.”
Eligibility & guidelines: “Work that has previously appeared in magazines, in whole or in part, is eligible, but should be so identified on the manuscript cover sheet…Self-published works are ineligible…Manuscript files must be between 150 and 350 pages.”
Submissions window: “Submissions will only be accepted each year between August 1 and September 30.”
Description of publisher: “The University of Nebraska Press, founded in 1941, is the largest university press between Chicago and California. UNP publishes scholarly and general-interest books.”
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.”
Eligibility & guidelines: “Sponsored by the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP)…the annual competition is open to all authors writing in English regardless of nationality or residence and is available to published and unpublished authors alike. The [James Alan McPherson] endowment provides funding for a $5,500 cash prize and publication by the University of Nebraska Press.”
Submissions window: January 1–February 28, 2025
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 [for] 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.”
Submissions window: March 1–August 31 of each year