Each month we curate a list of contests, fellowships, and other writing opportunities with approaching deadlines. Opportunities will be posted in the month prior to their deadlines, so that you have ample time to submit your work or applications.

Fiction Contests

Ernest Gaines Award for Literary Excellence
Eligibility: Rising African-American authors w/novels or short story collections published in 2019
Prize: $15,000
Deadline: August 15, 2019

New Visions Award (Middle Grade & YA)
Eligibility: Unpublished writers, who identify as POC or native
Prize: $2,000 + publication
Deadline: August 31, 2019

Nonfiction Contests

Constance Rooke Creative Nonfiction Contest
Eligibility: All writers
Prize: $1,000 CAD
Entry fee: $35 CAD for Canadian entries, $40 USD for U.S. entries, and $45 USD elsewhere. Additional entries are $15 CAD per submission.
Deadline: August 1, 2019

Iowa Prize in Literary Nonfiction
Eligibility: All writers
Prize: publication by University of Iowa Press
Entry fee: $10
Deadline: August 15, 2019

Poetry Contests

Grayson Books Poetry Prize
Eligibility: All poets writing in English
Prize: $1,000 + publication
Entry fee: $25
Deadline: August 15, 2019

Omnidawn Open (Poetry Book Contest)
Eligibility: All poets
Prize: $3,000
Entry fee: $27
Deadline: August 19, 2019

Eugene Paul Nassar Poetry Prize
Eligibility: Poets residing in Upstate New York
Prize: $2,000
Deadline: August 31, 2019

Multi-Genre Contests

1/2 K Prize
Eligibility: All writers
Prize: $1,000 + publication
Entry fee: $20
Deadline: August 15, 2019

Barthelme Prize for Short Prose
Eligibility: All writers
Prize: $1,000 + publication
Entry fee: $20
Deadline: August 15, 2019

New Voices Award (Picture Books)
Eligibility: Unpublished writers, who ID as POC or native
Prize: $2,000 + publication
Deadline: August 31, 2019

Writing Fellowships & Grants

Delaware Division of the Arts Individual Artist Fellowships
Eligibility: Delaware residents
Prize: $3,000 - $6,000
Deadline: August 1, 2019

PEN Emerging Voices Fellowship
Eligibility: Unpublished writers (see website for more details)
Prize: $1,000 + mentorship + classes
Deadline: August 1, 2019

Leeway Foundation Art and Change Grant
Eligibility: Women and trans* artists living in the Delaware Valley area
Prize: up to $2,500
Deadline: August 1, 2019

Writing Residencies

Yaddo
Eligibility: All writers not enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs
Prize: 2 – 8 week residency
Entry fee: $30
Deadline: August 1, 2019