The last contest deadlines of 2019 and the first of the new year offer a wealth of opportunities for poets. These awards honor published books, translations, single poems, and manuscripts. Most offer a cash prize of $1,000 or more, and all have deadlines from December 30 to January 2.
Bayou Magazine Poetry Prize: A prize of $1,000 and a subscription to Bayou Magazine is given annually for a poem. Deadline: January 1. Entry fee: $20.
Before Columbus Foundation American Book Awards: Awards are given annually for books published in the United States during the previous year to recognize “outstanding literary achievement from the entire spectrum of America’s diverse literary community.” Anyone, in addition to writers and publishers, may submit nominations for the awards. Deadline: December 31. Entry fee: none.
Black Caucus of the American Library Association Literary Awards: Four prizes of $500 each are given annually for a poetry collection, a first novel, a book of fiction, and a book of nonfiction (including creative nonfiction) by an African American writer published in the United States in the previous year. The awards honor books that depict the “cultural, historical, and sociopolitical aspects of the Black Diaspora.” Deadline: December 31. Entry fee: none.
Cleveland Foundation Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards: Three to four prizes of $10,000 each are given annually for a poetry collection, a book of fiction, and a book of nonfiction (including creative nonfiction) published during the previous year that “contribute to our understanding of racism and appreciation of human diversity.” Rita Dove, Henry Louis Gates Jr., Joyce Carol Oates, Steven Pinker, and Simon Schama will judge. Deadline: December 31. Entry fee: none.
Codhill Press Poetry Award: A prize of $1,000, publication by Codhill Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. James Sherwood will judge. Deadline: December 30. Entry fee: $30.
Crosswinds Poetry Contest: A prize of $1,000 and publication in Crosswinds is given annually for a single poem. Richard Blanco will judge. Deadline: December 31. Entry fee: $20.
Gemini Magazine: A prize of $1,000 and publication in Gemini Magazine is given annually for a single poem. The editors will judge. Deadline: January 2. Entry fee: $8.
Griffin Trust Poetry Prize: Two prizes of $65,000 CAD (approximately $49,520) each are given annually for poetry collections published during the previous year by a Canadian poet or translator and by an international poet or translator. Finalists in each category receive $10,000 CAD (approximately $7,618) for their participation in the Griffin Poetry Prize Shortlist Readings held in Toronto. Deadline: December 31. Entry fee: none.
Mississippi Review Prize In Poetry: A prize of $1,000 and publication in Mississippi Review is given annually for a single poem. Deadline: January 1. Entry fee: $15 ($16 for electronic submissions).
The Moth Poetry Prize: A prize of €10,000 (approximately $11,116) and publication in the Moth is given annually for a single poem. Three runner-up prizes of €1,000 (approximately $1,111) each are also given. The winners will also be invited to read at an awards ceremony at the Poetry Ireland festival in Dublin in spring 2020. Claudia Rankine will judge. Deadline: December 31. Entry fee: €15 (approximately $17).
New Issues Poetry & Prose Poetry Prize: A prize of $2,000 and publication by New Issues Poetry & Prose is given annually for a book of poetry by a poet who has not published a full-length collection. Traci Brimhall will judge. Deadline: December 30. Entry fee: $25.
New Rivers Press Many Voices Project Competition: Two prizes of $1,000 each, publication by New Rivers Press, and 15 author copies are given annually for a poetry collection and a book of fiction or creative nonfiction by an emerging writer. Writers who have not published more than two full-length books are eligible. Deadline: December 31. Entry fee: $25.
Nowhere Magazine Travel Writing Contest: A prize of $1,000 and publication in Nowhere Magazine is given twice yearly for a poem, a short story, or an essay that “possesses a powerful sense of place.” Porter Fox will judge. Unpublished and published pieces that have not already been chosen as a contest winner are eligible. Deadline: January 1. Entry fee: $25.
Three Percent Best Translated Book Award in Poetry: An award of $10,000 is given annually for a poetry collection translated into English for the first time and published in the previous year. The winning author will receive $5,000; the translator or translators will receive $5,000. Nancy Naomi Carlson, Patricia Lockwood, Aditi Machado, Laura Marris, and Brandon Shimoda will judge in poetry. Deadline: December 31. Entry fee: none.
Tupelo Press Dorset Prize: A prize of $3,000 and publication by Tupelo Press is given annually for a poetry collection. The winner also receives a weeklong residency at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. Deadline: December 31. Entry fee: $30.
Two Sylvias Wilder Series Book Prize: A prize of $1,000 and publication by Two Sylvias Press is given annually for a poetry collection by a woman over the age of 50. Kelli Russell Agodon and Annette Spaulding-Convy will judge. Deadline: December 31. Entry fee: $20.
Visit the contest websites for complete guidelines, and check out the Grants & Awards database and Submission Calendar for more contests in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction.