March/April 2025 - Recent Winners

Academy of American Poets

Wallace Stevens Award

Naomi Shihab Nye of San Antonio, Texas, won the 2024 Wallace Stevens Award. Nye, whose most recent collection is Grace Notes: Poems About Family (HarperCollins, 2024), received $100,000. The Academy’s board of chancellors judged. The annual award is given to a poet to “recognize outstanding and proven mastery in the art of poetry.” There is no application process.

Academy of American Poets Fellowship

Evie Shockley of Jersey City won the 2024 Academy of American Poets Fellowship. Shockley, whose most recent collection is suddenly we (Wesleyan University Press, 2023), received $25,000 and a residency at the T. S. Eliot House in Gloucester, Massachusetts. The Academy’s board of chancellors judged. The annual fellowship is given to an American poet for distinguished poetic achievement. There is no application process.

Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize

Ariana Benson of St. Louis won the 2024 Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize for Black Pastoral (University of Georgia Press). She received $25,000; a 10-day residency at Glen Hollow in Naples, New York; and distribution of her book to members of the Academy of American Poets. Kyle Dargan, Yesenia Montilla, and D. A. Powell judged. The annual award is given for a book of poetry published in the United States in the previous year. (See Deadlines.)

James Laughlin Award

Michelle Peñaloza of Covelo, California, won the 2024 James Laughlin Award for All the Words I Can Remember Are Poems (Persea Books). She received $5,000; an all-expenses-paid weeklong residency at the Betsy Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida; and distribution of her book to members of the Academy of American Poets. Tarfia Faizullah, Keetje Kuipers, and Barbara Jane Reyes judged. The annual award is given for a poet’s second collection, forthcoming in the next calendar year. (See Deadlines.)

Academy of American Poets, 75 Maiden Lane, Suite 901, New York, NY 10038. Nikay Paredes, Programs Director. awards@poets.org poets.org/academy-american-poets/american-poets-prizes

American Literary Translators Association

Lucien Stryk Asian Translation Prize

Colin Bramwell of Edinburgh and Wen-chi Li of Oxford, England, won the 2024 Lucien Stryk Asian Translation Prize for their translation from the Chinese of Ko-hua Chen’s poetry collection Decapitated Poetry (Seagull Books). They split $6,000. Eric E. Hyett, Archana Madhavan, and Shriram Sivaramakrishnan judged. The annual award is given for a book of poetry or a text from Zen Buddhism translated from an Asian language into English and published in the previous year. (See Deadlines.)

Italian Prose in Translation Award

Jenny McPhee of New York City won the 2024 Italian Prose in Translation Award for her translation of Elsa Morante’s novel Lies and Sorcery (New York Review Books). She received $5,000. Johanna Bishop, Isabella Corletto, and Diana Thow judged. The annual award is given for a book of fiction or nonfiction translated from Italian into English and published in the previous year. (See Deadlines.)

Spain-USA Foundation Translation Award

Adrian Nathan West of Philadelphia won the 2024 Spain-USA Foundation Translation Award for his translation from the Spanish of Elvira Lindo’s novel Open Heart (Other Press). He received $5,000. Jonathan Beutler, Regina Galasso, and Kathleen McNerney judged. The annual award is given for a book of fiction or nonfiction written by an author of Spanish nationality; translated from Basque, Catalan, Galician, or Spanish into English; and published in the United States in the previous year. (See Deadlines.)

National Translation Awards

Cole Swensen of Paris and San Anselmo, California, won the 2024 National Translation Award in Poetry for her translation from the French of Pierre Alferi’s poetry collection And the Street (Green Linden Press). Kazim Ali, Ronnie Apter, and Mary Jo Bang judged. Jamie Richards of Los Angeles won the 2024 National Translation Award in Prose for her translation from the Italian of Marosia Castaldi’s novel The Hunger of Women (And Other Stories). Philip Boehm, Shelley Fairweather-Vega, Will Forrester, Joon-Li Kim, and poupeh missaghi judged. Swensen and Richards each received $4,000. The annual awards are given for a book of poetry and a book of prose translated from any language into English and published in the previous year. (See Deadlines.)

ALTA First Translation Prize

Sarah Gale, Emma Raddatz, and Jennifer Shyue, all of New York City, won the 2024 ALTA First Translation Prize for for Jennifer Shyue’s translation from the Spanish (edited by Sarah Gale and Emma Raddatz) of Augusto Higa Oshiro’s novel The Enlightenment of Katzuo Nakamatsu (Archipelago Books). Shyue was awarded $2,000, and Archipelago Books editors Gale and Raddatz split $1,000. Esther Allen, Alexa Frank, and Urayoán Noel judged. The annual award is given to an emerging literary translator and their editor(s) for a debut translation of a book of poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction from any language into English published in the previous year. (See Deadlines.)

American Literary Translators Association, University of Arizona, Esquire Building #205, 1230 North Park Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85721. Rachael Daum, Communications and Awards Manager.
rachaeldaum@literarytranslators.org literarytranslators.org/awards

Arrowsmith Press

Derek Walcott Prize for Poetry

Antonella Anedda of Rome, Patrizio Ceccagnoli of Lawrence, Kansas, and Susan Stewart of Princeton, New Jersey, won the 2024 Derek Walcott Prize for Poetry for Ceccagnoli and Stewart’s translation from the Italian of Antonella Anedda’s Historiae (New York Review of Books Poets). Anedda received $2,000. Diane Mehta judged. The annual award is given for a poetry collection published in the previous year that is written in English (or published in English translation) by an author who is not a citizen of the United States. The next deadline is February 15, 2026.

Arrowsmith Press, Derek Walcott Prize for Poetry, 11 Chestnut Street, Medford, MA 02155. Askold Melnyczuk, Editor and Publisher.
arrowsmithpress@gmail.com arrowsmithpress.com/walcott

Association of Writers & Writing Programs

Award Series

Four writers won the 2024 Association of Writers & Writing Programs Award Series prizes. Samyak Shertok of Conway, Arkansas, won the $5,500 Donald Hall Prize for Poetry. His poetry collection, No Rhododendron, selected by Kimiko Hahn, will be published by University of Pittsburgh Press. Lesley Bannatyne of Somerville, Massachusetts, won the $5,500 Grace Paley Prize for Short Fiction. Her story collection, Lake Song, selected by Deesha Philyaw, will be published by Mad Creek Books. Dean Marshall Tuck of Bailey, North Carolina, won the $5,500 James Alan McPherson Prize for the Novel. His novel, Twinless Twin, selected by Jason Mott, will be published by University of Nebraska Press. Lee Horikoshi Roripaugh of Laramie, Wyoming, won the $2,500 Sue William Silverman Prize for Creative Nonfiction. Their memoir, (un) Mother (ed) / (un) Tongue (d), selected by Chloé Cooper Jones, will be published by University of Georgia Press. The annual awards are given for books of poetry, short fiction, fiction, and creative nonfiction. As of this writing, the next deadline has not been set.

Association of Writers & Writing Programs, Award Series, 440 Monticello Avenue, Suite 1802, PMB 73708, Norfolk, VA 23510. (240) 696-7700.
awp@awpwriter.org awpwriter.org/awp/contests/awp-award-series/overview.aspx

Atlanta Review

International Poetry Contest

Carol O’Brien of Havertown, Pennsylvania, won the 2024 International Poetry Contest for “The Woman in the Attic.” She received a prize of $1,000 and publication in the Fall/Winter 2024 issue of Atlanta Review. Jeannine Hall Gailey judged. The annual award is given for a single poem. (See Deadlines.)

Atlanta Review, International Poetry Contest, 686 Cherry Street NW, Suite 333, Atlanta, GA 30332. JC Reilly, Editor. atlantareview@gatech.edu atlantareview.com/guidelines/international-poetry-contest

Austin Community College

Balcones Prizes

JJJJJerome Ellis of Norfolk, Virginia, won the 2024 Balcones Poetry Prize for his poetry collection, Aster of Ceremonies (Milkweed Editions). Sasha West judged. Gerardo Sámano Córdova of New York City won the Balcones Fiction Prize for his novel, Monstrilio (Zando). Fernando A. Flores judged. The winners each received $1,500. The annual awards honor a book of poetry and a book of fiction published during the previous year; starting in 2025, the prize will also award a winner for a book of creative nonfiction. The next deadline is February 28, 2026.

Austin Community College, Balcones Prizes, Creative Writing Department, 6101 Highland Campus Drive, Austin, TX 78752. A.R. Rogers, Prize Coordinator.
balcones@austincc.edu sites.austincc.edu/crw/balcones-prizes

Autumn House Press

Poetry Prize

Betsy Fagin of New York City won the 22nd annual Autumn House Poetry Prize for self-driving. She received $1,000, and her poetry collection will be published by Autumn House Press in October. She will also receive a $1,500 travel grant for promotion of her book. Kazim Ali judged. The annual award is given for a poetry collection. The next deadline is June 30.

Fiction Prize

Lauren D. Woods of Washington, D.C., won the 17th annual Autumn House Fiction Prize for The Great Grownup Game of Make-Believe. She received $1,000, and her story collection will be published by Autumn House Press in October. She will also receive a $1,500 travel grant for promotion of her book. Kristen Arnett judged. The annual award is given for a story collection, novella collection, novella, or novel. The next deadline is February 28, 2026.

Nonfiction Prize

Ren Cedar Fuller of Seattle won the 13th annual Autumn House Nonfiction Prize for her essay collection, Bigger. She received $1,000, and her book will be published by Autumn House Press in October. She will also receive a $1,500 travel grant for promotion of her book. Clifford Thompson judged. The annual award is given for a book of creative nonfiction. (See Deadlines.)

Autumn House Press, 5614 Elgin Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. Christine Stroud, Editor in Chief.
info@autumnhouse.org autumnhouse.org

Beloit Poetry Journal

Adrienne Rich Award for Poetry

Kate Sweeney of New York City won the 2024 Adrienne Rich Award for Poetry for “Self Portrait.” She received $1,500 and publication in Beloit Poetry Journal. Marilyn Chin judged. The annual award, which is supported by the Adrienne Rich Literary Trust, is given for a single poem. (See Deadlines.)

Beloit Poetry Journal, Adrienne Rich Award for Poetry, P.O. Box 1450, Windham, ME 04062. Rachel Contreni Flynn and Kirun Kapur, Editors.
bpj@bpj.org bpj.org

Black Lawrence Press

Hudson Prize

Dana Diehl of Tucson won the 2024 Hudson Prize for her story collection, The Earth Room. She received $1,000, publication by Black Lawrence Press, and 10 author copies. The editors and a rotating panel of former Hudson Prize winners judged. The annual award is given for a collection of poems, short stories, essays, or hybrid work. (See Deadlines.)

Black Lawrence Press, Hudson Prize. Diane Goettel, Executive Editor. editors@blacklawrencepress.com blacklawrencepress.com

Boulevard

Nonfiction Contest for Emerging Writers

Phillip Barcio of Evanston, Illinois, and Muncie, Indiana, won the 2023 Nonfiction Contest for Emerging Writers for “The Vacantlands.” He received $1,000, and his essay was published in Issue No. 116 of Boulevard. The annual award is given for an essay by a writer who has not published a full-length book of poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction with a nationally distributed press. The next deadline is September 30.

Boulevard, Nonfiction Contest for Emerging Writers, 3829 Hartford Street, St. Louis, MO 63116. Dusty Freund, Editor. editors@boulevardmagazine.org boulevardmagazine.org

The Center for Fiction

First Novel Prize

Joseph Earl Thomas of New York City won the 2024 First Novel Prize for God Bless You, Otis Spunkmeyer (Grand Central). He received $15,000. The finalists were Rita Bullwinkel of San Francisco for Headshot (Viking); Ruthvika Rao of Detroit for The Fertile Earth (Flatiron Books); Mai Sennaar of Baltimore and Dakar for They Dream in Gold (SJP Lit); Clare Sestanovich and Ledia Xhoga, both of New York City, for Ask Me Again (Knopf) and Misinterpretation (Tin House), respectively; and Morgan Talty of Levant, Maine, for Fire Exit (Tin House). They each received $1,000. Merve Emre, Raven Leilani, Jonathan Lethem, and Tyriek White judged. The annual award is given for a debut novel published in the United States during the previous year. (See Deadlines.)

The Center for Fiction, First Novel Prize, 15 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217. (212) 755-6710.
info@centerforfiction.org centerforfiction.org/grants-awards/the-first-novel-prize

Conduit Books & Ephemera

Marystina Santiestevan First Book Prize

Jennifer Loyd of Westminster, Colorado, won the 2024 Marystina Santiestevan First Book Prize for Ghost in the Archive. She received $1,500, publication by Conduit Books & Ephemera, and 20 author copies. Bob Hicok judged. The annual award is given for a debut poetry collection. The next deadline is July 7.

Conduit Books & Ephemera, Marystina Santiestevan First Book Prize, 788 Osceola Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105. William D. Waltz, Editor in Chief.
conduitmagazine@gmail.com conduit.org

Crook’s Corner Book Prize Foundation

Book Prize

Thao Thai of Columbus, Ohio, won the 2025 Crook’s Corner Book Prize for Banyan Moon (Mariner Books, 2024). She received $5,000. Megan Mayhew Bergman judged. The annual award is given for a debut novel set primarily in the American South. (See Deadlines.)

Crook’s Corner Book Prize Foundation, Book Prize, 110 Cedar Pond Lane, Chapel Hill, NC 27517. (919) 942-3713. Anna Hayes, President.
info@crookscornerbookprize.com crookscornerbookprize.com

Florida Review

Editor’s Prizes

A. E. Wynter of St. Paul won the 2024 Editor’s Prize in poetry for “Inflatable Boys.” Sophia Shealy of Tallahassee, Florida, won the prize in fiction for “Paradise.” Sienna Zeilinger of Philadelphia won the prize in creative nonfiction for “Sorry About the Raccoons.” They will each receive $1,000, and their winning works will be published in the Spring 2025 issue of Florida Review. The editors judged. The annual awards are given for a poem or group of poems, a short story, and an essay. (See Deadlines.)

Florida Review, Editor’s Prizes, University of Central Florida, English Department, P.O. Box 161346, Orlando, FL 32816. David James Poissant, Editor and Director.
flreview@ucf.edu cah.ucf.edu/floridareview

Four Way Books

Levis Prize in Poetry

Aiden Heung of St. Louis won the 2024 Levis Prize in Poetry for All There Is to Lose. He received $1,000, and his collection will be published by Four Way Books in March 2026. He will also be invited to participate in readings, either virtually or in person in New York City, as public health guidelines allow. Ilya Kaminsky judged. The annual award is given for a poetry collection. (See Deadlines.)

Four Way Books, Levis Prize in Poetry, P.O. Box 535, Village Station, New York, NY 10014. (212) 334-5430. Ryan Murphy, Director.
editors@fourwaybooks.com fourwaybooks.com

Georgia Review

Loraine Williams Poetry Prize

Johanna Magin of Paris won the 12th annual Loraine Williams Poetry Prize for “Trace History.” She received $1,500 and publication in the Spring 2025 issue of Georgia Review. Cole Swensen judged. The annual award is given for a single poem. As of this writing, the next deadline has not been set.

Georgia Review, Loraine Williams Poetry Prize, University of Georgia, 706A Main Library, 320 South Jackson Street, Athens, GA 30602. (706) 542-3481. Aria Curtis, Marketing and Outreach Manager.
garev@uga.edu thegeorgiareview.com/the-loraine-williams-poetry-prize

Ghost Story

Supernatural Fiction Award

Emily Ver Steeg of New York City won the Fall 2024 Supernatural Fiction Award for “To Those Affected by My Actions.” She received $1,500, and her story was published on the Ghost Story website. The editors judged. The award is given biannually for a short story with a supernatural or magical realist theme. (See Deadlines.)

Ghost Story, Supernatural Fiction Award, P.O. Box 601, Union, ME 04862. Paul Guernsey, Editor.
editor@theghoststory.com theghoststory.com/contest-guidelines-and-winners

Grayson Books

Poetry Contest

J.P. White of Wayzata, Minnesota, won the 2024 Grayson Books Poetry Contest for Rough Sea. He received $1,000, and his book will be published by Grayson Books. He will also receive 10 author copies. Chase Twichell judged. The annual award is given for a poetry collection. The next deadline is August 15.

Grayson Books, Poetry Contest, P.O. Box 270549, West Hartford, CT 06127. Ginny Connors, Founder. gconnors@graysonbooks.com graysonbooks.com/pages/poetry-contests

Hippocrates Prize

Prizes for Poetry and Medicine 

Claudia Daventry of St. Andrews, Scotland, won the 2024 Hippocrates Open Award for “Sagrada Familia,” and Vicki Husband of Glasgow won the Hippocrates Health Professional Award for “Non-essential Poem.” They each received £1,000 (approximately $1,223) and publication in the Hippocrates Prize anthology. Michael Hulse, Devi Sridhar, and Kelley Swain judged. The annual awards are given for a single poem on a medical theme and for a single poem on a medical theme written by a health professional. The next deadline is February 14, 2026.

Hippocrates Prize, Prizes for Poetry and Medicine, 1/2 23 Lawrence Street, Glasgow G11 5HF, Scotland. hippocrates.poetry@gmail.com hippocrates-poetry.org

Hurston/Wright Foundation

Legacy Awards

A. Van Jordan of Oakland won the 2024 Legacy Award in poetry for his collection When I Waked, I Cried to Dream Again (Norton). Mihret Sibhat of California won in fiction for her novel, The History of a Difficult Child (Penguin Books). Soraya Palmer of New York City won in debut fiction for her novel, The Human Origins of Beatrice Porter and Other Essential Ghosts (Catapult). Cassandra Jackson of Ewing Township, New Jersey, won in memoir for her book, The Wreck: A Daughter’s Memoir of Becoming a Mother (Viking). Shara McCallum and Courtney Faye Taylor judged in poetry; Alaya Dawn Johnson and JJ Amaworo Wilson judged in fiction; Natashia Deón and Sifiso Mzobe judged in debut fiction; and Yvonne Battle-Felton judged in nonfiction. The annual awards are given for books of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction written by Black authors and published in the previous year. As of this writing, the next deadline has not been set.

Hurston/Wright Foundation, Legacy Awards, 1611 U Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20020.
info@hurstonwright.org hurstonwright.org

Indiana Review

Poetry Prize

Sa Whitley of Phoenix won the 2024 Poetry Prize for “I Am Not Supposed to Imagine You in the Future.” They received $1,000 and publication in the Winter 2024/25 issue of Indiana Review. Oliver Baez Bendorf judged. The annual award is given for a single poem. (See Deadlines.)

Fiction Prize

Jonathan Gleason of Chicago won the 2024 Fiction Prize for “Guardians.” He received $1,000 and publication in the Winter 2024/25 issue of Indiana Review. Jonathan Escoffery judged. The annual award is given for a short story. The next deadline is November 30.

Creative Nonfiction Prize

Esther Ra of Stanford, California, won the 2024 Creative Nonfiction Prize for “The Consolation of Snow.” She received $1,000 and publication in the Winter 2024/25 issue of Indiana Review. Lars Horn judged. The annual award is given for an essay. (See Deadlines.)

Indiana Review, Indiana University, English Department, Ballantine Hall 440, 1020 East Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47405. Douglas Paul Case, Production Manager.
inreview@indiana.edu indianareview.iu.edu/Prizes/index.html

Kansas City Public Library

Maya Angelou Book Award

Jamel Brinkley of Iowa City won the 2024 Maya Angelou Book Award for his short story collection Witness (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2023). He received $10,000. He will also participate in a reading tour of Missouri colleges, universities, and libraries as well as be recognized in a ceremony sponsored by the Kansas City Public Library, the University of Missouri, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Timothy Schaffert judged. The award is given in alternating years for a poetry collection or a book of fiction by an author whose work “demonstrates a commitment to social justice and diversifies contemporary American literature.” (See Deadlines.)

Kansas City Public Library, Maya Angelou Book Award, 14 West 10th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105. (816) 701-3400. Kaite Mediatore Stover, Director of Readers’ Services.
angeloubookaward@kclibrary.org kclibrary.org/maba

Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Prizes

Percival Everett of Los Angeles and Adam Higginbotham of New York City won the 2024 Kirkus Prizes. Everett won in fiction for his novel James (Doubleday), and Higginbotham won in nonfiction for his book, Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space (Avid Reader Press). They each received $50,000. Christine Bollow, Jeffrey Burke, and Laurie Muchnick judged in fiction. Hannah Bae and Mary Ann Gwinn judged in nonfiction. The annual awards are given for a book of fiction and a book of nonfiction that were published in the previous year and received a starred review in Kirkus Reviews. There is no application process.

Kirkus Reviews, 65 West 36th Street, Suite 700, New York, NY 10018. Tom Beer, Editor in Chief.
tbeer@kirkus.com kirkusreviews.com/prize

Munster Literature Centre

Seán Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition

Jack Kennedy of Dublin won the 2024 Seán Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition for “Snap.” He received €2,000 (approximately $2,059) and publication of his story in Southword. He also gave a featured reading at the 2024 Cork International Short Story Festival in Ireland. Camilla Grudova judged. The annual award is given for a short story. The next deadline is July 31.

Munster Literature Centre, Seán Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition, Frank O’Connor House, 84 Douglas Street, Cork, T12 X802, Ireland. Patrick Cotter, Artistic Director.
info@munsterlit.ie munsterlit.ie

Narrative

Narrative Prize

Madeleine Cravens of Oakland won the 2024 Narrative Prize for her group of poems titled “October Phone Call and Other Poems.” She received $5,000. The annual award is given for a poem or group of poems, a short story, a novel excerpt, or a work of creative nonfiction by a new or emerging writer published in Narrative during the previous year. The next deadline is June 15.

Spring Story Contest

Madelena Grossmann of Athens won the 2024 Spring Story Contest for her short story “Something Left Behind.” She received $2,500 and publication in Narrative. The annual award is given for a short story, a short short story, an essay, or an excerpt from a work of fiction or creative nonfiction. The next deadline is July 31.

Poetry Contest

Saddiq Dzukogi of Starkville, Mississippi, won the 16th annual Poetry Contest for “Egress.” He received $1,500 and publication in Narrative. The annual award is given for a poem or group of poems. All entries are considered for publication. The next deadline is July 20.

Narrative. Tom Jenks, Editor.
contact@narrativemagazine.com narrativemagazine.com

National Book Foundation

National Book Awards

Lena Khalaf Tuffaha of Redmond, Washington, won the 2024 National Book Award in poetry for Something About Living (University of Akron Press). The finalists in poetry were Anne Carson of Reykjavík for Wrong Norma (New Directions); Fady Joudah of Houston for […] (Milkweed Editions); m.s. RedCherries of New York City for mother (Penguin Books); and Diane Seuss of Kalamazoo, Michigan, for Modern Poetry (Graywolf). Percival Everett of Los Angeles won the National Book Award in fiction for James (Doubleday). The finalists in fiction were ’Pemi Aguda of Philadelphia for Ghostroots (Norton); Kaveh Akbar of Iowa City for Martyr! (Knopf); Miranda July of Los Angeles for All Fours (Riverhead Books); and Hisham Matar of London for My Friends (Random House). Jason De León of Los Angeles won the National Book Award in nonfiction for Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling (Viking). The finalists in nonfiction were Eliza Griswold of Princeton, New Jersey, for Circle of Hope: A Reckoning With Love, Power, and Justice in an American Church (Farrar, Straus and Giroux); Kate Manne of Ithaca, New York, for Unshrinking: How to Face Fatphobia (Crown); Salman Rushdie of New York City for Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder (Random House); and Deborah Jackson Taffa of Santa Fe for Whiskey Tender (Harper). Shifa Saltagi Safadi of Chicago won the National Book Award in young people’s literature for Kareem Between (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers). The finalists in young people’s literature were Violet Duncan of Mesa, Arizona, for Buffalo Dreamer (Nancy Paulsen Books); Josh Galarza of Richmond for The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky (Henry Holt); Erin Entrada Kelly of New Castle County, Delaware, for The First State of Being (Greenwillow Books); and Angela Shanté of Los Angeles for The Unboxing of a Black Girl (Page Street Publishing). Yáng Shuāng-zǐ of Taipei won the National Book Award in translated literature for Taiwan Travelogue (Graywolf), translated from the Mandarin Chinese by Lin King of New York City and Taipei. The finalists in translated literature were Bothayna Al-Essa of Kuwait City for The Book Censor’s Library (Restless Books), translated from the Arabic by Ranya Abdelrahman of Cairo and Sawad Hussain of Cambridge, England; Linnea Axelsson of Stockholm for Ædnan (Knopf), translated from the Swedish by Saskia Vogel of Berlin; Fiston Mwanza Mujila of Berlin for The Villain’s Dance (Deep Vellum), translated from the French by Roland Glasser of London; and Samar Yazbek of Paris for Where the Wind Calls Home (World Editions), translated from the Arabic by Leri Price of Edinburgh. Tuffaha, Everett, De León, and Safadi each received $10,000; Yáng and King each won $5,000. The finalists each received $1,000 (to be split evenly between author and translator for the translated literature category). The poetry judges were Richard Blanco, Carolyn Forché, Tyehimba Jess, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, and Rena Priest; the fiction judges were Jamie Ford, Lauren Groff, Zeyn Joukhadar, Chawa Magaña, and Reginald McKnight; the nonfiction judges were Brenda J. Child, Anand Giridharadas, Tressie McMillan Cottom, Timothy Morton, and Arvin Ramgoolam; the young people’s literature judges were Rose Brock, Huda Fahmy, Leah Johnson, Mike Jung, and Brein Lopez; and the translated literature judges were Aron Aji, Jennifer Croft, Jhumpa Lahiri, Gary Lovely, and Julia Sanches. The annual awards honor books of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, young people’s literature, and translated literature published in the United States during the award year. As of this writing, the next deadline has not been set.

National Book Foundation, National Book Awards, 90 Broad Street, Suite 604, New York, NY 10004. (212) 685-0261. nationalbook@nationalbook.org nationalbook.org

North American Review

James Hearst Poetry Prize

Tara Mesalik MacMahon of Friday Harbor, Washington, won the 2024 James Hearst Poetry Prize for “Anticipatory Grief as Phases of Moon.” She received $1,000, and her poem was published in the Spring 2024 issue of North American Review. Diane Seuss judged. The annual award is given for a single poem. The next deadline is November 1.

North American Review, James Hearst Poetry Prize, University of Northern Iowa, 1227 West 27th Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50614. (319) 273-6455.
nar@uni.edu northamericanreview.org

Oberon

Poetry Prize

Elaine Zimmerman of Hamden, Connecticut, won the 2024 Oberon Poetry Prize for “The Guest.” She received $1,000, and her poem will be published in Oberon. Robert Savino judged. The annual award is given for a single poem. (See Deadlines.)

Oberon, Poetry Prize, P.O. Box 516, Miller Place, NY 11764. Mindy Kronenberg, Editor.
oberonmag@optonline.net oberonpoetry.com

Orison Books

Prizes in Poetry and Fiction

Jeremy Radin of New York City won the 2024 Orison Poetry Prize for his poetry collection Belly God. Jake Young of Santa Cruz, California, won the Orison Fiction Prize for his novella, Shared Perspectives. They each received $1,500, and their books will be published by Orison Books in 2026. Ellen Bass judged in poetry, and Kaveh Akbar judged in fiction. The annual awards are given for a poetry collection and a book of fiction. (See Deadlines.)

Orison Books, Prizes in Poetry and Fiction, P.O. Box 8385, Asheville, NC 28814. Luke Hankins, Editor. publicity@orisonbooks.com orisonbooks.com

Ploughshares

Emerging Writer’s Contest

Andy Chen of St. Louis won the 2024 Emerging Writer’s Contest in poetry for “Longing.” Susan Bartolme of Amsterdam won in fiction for “Because It’s Yours.” Billy Lezra of Las Vegas won in nonfiction for “Mother’s Colors.” They each received $2,000, publication of their work in the Winter 2024–2025 issue of Ploughshares, and a consultation with literary agency Aevitas Creative Management. Porsha Olayiwola judged in poetry, Dantiel W. Moniz judged in fiction, and Augusten Burroughs judged in nonfiction. The annual awards are given for a poem or group of poems, a short story, and an essay. (See Deadlines.)

John C. Zacharis First Book Award

J. Estanislao Lopez of Houston won the 34th annual John C. Zacharis First Book Award for his poetry collection, We Borrowed Gentleness (Alice James Books, 2022). He received $1,500. John Skoyles judged. The annual award is given in alternating years for a first poetry collection or first book of fiction by a writer whose work has been published in Ploughshares. The next deadline is June 30.

Ploughshares, Emerson College, 120 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116. (617) 824-3757. Rachel Dillon, Managing Editor.
pshares@pshares.org pshares.org

Press 53

Award for Poetry

Dave Nielsen of Salt Lake City won the 2025 Press 53 Award for Poetry for Meant to Be. He will receive $1,000, publication by Press 53, and 53 author copies. Tom Lombardo judged. The annual award is given for a poetry collection. The next deadline is July 31.

Press 53, Award for Poetry, 560 North Trade Street, Suite 103, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. (336) 770-5353. Kevin Morgan Watson, Publisher and Editor.
kevin@press53.com press53.com/award-for-poetry

Talking Gourds

Cantor Prize

Benny Manibog of Denver won the 7th annual Cantor Prize for “Honeycombs.” He received $1,000 and publication of his poem on the Talking Gourds website. Juan J. Morales judged. The annual award is given for a single poem by a poet living in Colorado or a poet living outside of the state writing about events or places in Colorado. The next deadline is August 31.

Fischer Prize

Rebecca Foust of Ely, Minnesota, won the 28th annual Fischer Prize for “Polaris.” She received $1,000 and publication of her poem on the Talking Gourds website. Juan J. Morales judged. The annual award is given for a single poem. The next deadline is August 31.

Talking Gourds, P.O. Box 160, Norwood, CO 81423. (970) 729-0220. Art Goodtimes, Program Director.
shroompa@gmail.com tellurideinstitute.org/talking-gourds

Trio House Press

Louise Bogan Award

Anthony Borruso of New York City won the 2024 Louise Bogan Award for Splice. He received $1,000, and his collection will be published by Trio House Press in July. He will also receive 20 author copies. Oliver de la Paz judged. The annual award is given for a poetry collection by a poet living in the United States. (See Deadlines.)

Trio Award for First or Second Book

Rhoni Blankenhorn of New York City won the 2024 Trio Award for First or Second Book for Rooms for the Dead and the Not Yet. She received $1,000, and her collection will be published by Trio House Press in July. She will also receive 20 author copies. Jessica Q. Stark judged. The annual award is given for a first or second poetry collection by a poet living in the United States. (See Deadlines.)

Aurora Polaris Creative Nonfiction Award

Samina Najmi of Fresno, California, won the 2024 Aurora Polaris Creative Nonfiction Award for Sing Me a Circle: Love, Loss, and a Home in Time. She received $1,000, and her book will be published by Trio House Press in October. She will also receive 20 author copies. The editors judged. The annual award is given for a book of nonfiction by a writer living in the United States. (See Deadlines.)

Trio House Press, 2615 Emerson Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55408. Kris Bigalk, Executive Director.
editorial@triohousepress.org triohousepress.org/contests

White Pine Press

Poetry Prize

Michael McGriff of Moscow, Idaho, won the 30th annual White Pine Press Poetry Prize for Inquest. He received $1,000, and his book will be published by White Pine Press in the fall. Gail Wronsky judged. The annual award is given for a poetry collection. The next deadline is November 30.

White Pine Press, Poetry Prize, P.O. Box 236, Buffalo, NY 14201. Dennis Maloney, Editor and Publisher.
dennismaloney@yahoo.com whitepine.org

Whiting Foundation

Creative Nonfiction Grants

Leah Broad, Hettie O’Brien, and Nadim Roberts, all of London; James Duesterberg of New York City; Arun Kundnani of Philadelphia; Sarah Esther Maslin of Mexico City; Emily Ogden of Charlottesville, Virginia; Heather Ann Thompson of Detroit; Ronald Williams II of Durham, North Carolina; and Hannah Zeavin of Oakland won 2024 Whiting Foundation Creative Nonfiction Grants. They each received $40,000. The annual awards are given to writers who are in the process of writing a book of nonfiction under contract with a publisher in Canada, the United Kingdom, or the United States as of April 23. (See Deadlines.)

Whiting Foundation, Creative Nonfiction Grants, 291 Broadway, Suite 1901, New York, NY 10007. (718) 701-5962. Ruby Wang, Program Assistant.
nonfiction@whiting.org whiting.org/writers/creative-nonfiction-grant

Winning Writers

Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest

Kathleen McNamara of Rimrock, Arizona, and Lanfu Liu of Anshan, China, won the 32nd annual Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest. McNamara won in fiction for “Cryptozoology,” and Liu won in nonfiction for “Memory in Tibet.” They each received $3,500, a two-year gift certificate for membership to the literary database Duotrope, and publication on the Winning Writers website. Sarah Halper and Mina Manchester judged. The annual awards are given for a short story and an essay. (See Deadlines.)

Winning Writers, Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest, 351 Pleasant Street, Suite B PMB 222, Northampton, MA 01060. Adam Cohen, President.
info@winningwriters.com winningwriters.com/our-contests