Amplifying Underrepresented Voices: Leading Literary Opportunities for BIPOC Writers, Editors, and Publishers
- Nov 30, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: Oct 8
The PEN America Emerging Voices Fellowship, the Asian American Writers’ Workshop Margins Fellowship, and the Cave Canem Retreat stand among the most influential programs advancing equity and access in American literature. Each offers mentorship, funding, and professional development for writers from underrepresented communities, creating pathways into publishing that have historically been closed. From PEN America’s five-month immersive fellowship for early-career writers, to the AAWW’s $5,000 Margins Fellowship supporting emerging Asian diasporic voices, to Cave Canem’s acclaimed retreat nurturing generations of Black poets, these initiatives are reshaping who gets to write, publish, and define the literary future.
With the support of our partner magazines and presses, For The Writers has assembled a growing directory of awards and opportunities dedicated to advancing BIPOC writers, editors, and creators across the literary world. From book prizes and editorial fellowships to magazine contests and mentorship initiatives, these programs exist to open doors that have too often remained closed, and to ensure that underrepresented voices receive both recognition and a wider audience.
The data tells a stark story. A 2023 report by Penguin Random House confirmed that Black and Asian authors remain significantly underrepresented across major publishing houses, despite years of diversity pledges. The imbalance extends beyond print. In digital media, 81% of BIPOC creators report working harder than their white peers to achieve the same visibility. Studies also show that white influencers are twice as likely to secure early brand partnerships, while Black creators—despite often having larger median audiences—earn less per post. These disparities are symptoms of the same systemic hierarchy that continues to limit who gets published, funded, or promoted within the literary community.
At For The Writers, our goal is not symbolic inclusion but structural change. The stories BIPOC creators tell are not ancillary—they expand the canon, correct omissions, and reflect the truth of a more complete world. Their voices challenge inherited assumptions, reshape public discourse, and show readers what literature looks like when every perspective is given room to breathe.
This list is meant as a tool, not a gesture. It is designed to connect BIPOC writers with tangible opportunities, such as grants, residencies, workshops, and editorial fellowships, that foster sustainable careers and community support networks. By highlighting programs committed to inclusion, we aim to help emerging and established talent alike gain the resources and visibility they deserve.
The work ahead demands more than awareness. It requires action, accountability, and the amplification of stories that have too often been sidelined. For The Writers remains committed to that work, advocating for equity in publishing, investing in mentorship, and celebrating the writers and creators who continue to redefine what the literary landscape can be.
BOOK PRIZES AND SERIES
The Academy of American Poets Ambroggio Prize
Administered by the Academy of American Poets, the Ambroggio Prize honors a book-length poetry manuscript originally written in Spanish with an accompanying English translation. The prize awards $1,000 and publication through the University of Arizona Press, a nationally respected press recognized for elevating the voices of Latinx and Indigenous authors. This prize not only celebrates bilingual creativity but also strengthens the visibility of Spanish-language poetry within the broader American literary canon.
Website: poets.org
Genres: Poetry
Award Deadline: Early March (Annually)
Prize Amount: $1,000 and Publication
The University of Notre Dame Andrés Montoya Poetry Prize
Presented by Letras Latinas, the literary initiative of the University of Notre Dame’s Institute for Latino Studies, in partnership with University of Notre Dame Press, the Andrés Montoya Poetry Prize supports the publication of a first book by a Latinx poet residing in the United States. Named in honor of the late Chicano poet Andrés Montoya, the award seeks to cultivate new Latinx poetic voices and bring them into the national literary conversation.
Website: latinopoetryreview.nd.edu
Genres: Poetry
Award Deadline: Biennially
Prize Amount: Publication
Ann Petry Award
A collaboration between Red Hen Press and the Peauxdunque Writers Alliance, the Ann Petry Award offers $3,000 and publication to a Black writer for a work of fiction or nonfiction. Named after the acclaimed author Ann Petry, the first Black woman novelist to sell over a million copies, the award is designed to advance underrepresented voices in contemporary literature. The prize is notable for requiring no entry fee, ensuring equitable access for all eligible writers.
Website: redhen.org
Genres: Fiction, Nonfiction
Award Deadline: Spring (Annually)
Prize Amount: $3,000 and publication
Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) Literary Awards
Presented by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA), these awards honor excellence in literature by African American authors across four categories: poetry, debut fiction, fiction, and nonfiction. Each year, the BCALA recognizes books published in the United States that make a meaningful contribution to the cultural and intellectual life of the Black experience. With $500 prizes in each category, the awards remain one of the most respected literary honors celebrating Black voices and preserving their place in the national literary record.
Website: bcala.org
Genres: Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction
Award Deadline: December 31 (Annually)
Prize Amount: $500 per Category
Blessing the Boats Selections
Created by BOA Editions, the Blessing the Boats Selections series uplifts poetry collections by women of color, including cis, trans, and nonbinary poets. Named after Lucille Clifton’s beloved poem “Blessing the Boats,” the series continues her legacy of courage, tenderness, and truth in verse. Open periodically and free to enter, the program offers publication through BOA, a leading independent press known for launching the careers of transformative poets.
Website: boaeditions.org
Genres: Poetry
Award Deadline: Check Website for Submission Windows
Prize Amount: Publication
The Center for African American Poetry and Poetics (CAAPP) Book Prize
Administered jointly by Autumn House Press and the Center for African American Poetry and Poetics (CAAPP) at the University of Pittsburgh, the CAAPP Book Prize awards $3,000 and publication for a debut or sophomore poetry collection by a writer of African descent. The prize reflects CAAPP’s mission to expand the visibility and critical reach of contemporary Black poetics, supporting emerging voices that push the boundaries of form, language, and cultural expression.
Website: caapp.pitt.edu
Genres: Poetry
Award Deadline: Biennially (Check Website)
Prize Amount: $3,000 and Publication
Cave Canem Poetry Prize (Northwestern University Press)
Presented in partnership with Northwestern University Press, the Cave Canem Poetry Prize awards $1,000 and publication for a second poetry collection by a Black poet of African descent. Building on Cave Canem’s long-standing legacy of cultivating Black literary excellence, this prize celebrates poets who have already established their voices and are ready to deepen their artistic reach. The winning collection joins a distinguished catalog of contemporary Black poetry published by Northwestern, known for its commitment to advancing diverse and powerful literary voices.
Website: cavecanempoets.org
Genres: Poetry
Award Deadline: Varies (Check Website)
Prize Amount: $1,000 and Publication
Cave Canem Poetry Prize (Graywolf Press)
In collaboration with Graywolf Press, the Cave Canem Poetry Prize recognizes an outstanding first poetry collection by a Black poet, offering $1,000 and publication. Since its founding in 1999, this prize has launched the careers of many influential poets, helping to redefine the contemporary American canon. By partnering with Graywolf—a leading independent publisher known for championing innovative and socially resonant literature—Cave Canem continues its mission to support emerging Black voices and ensure their work reaches a global readership.
Website: cavecanempoets.org
Genres: Poetry
Award Deadline: Check Website for Annual Dates
Prize Amount: $1,000 and Publication
The Hurston/Wright Legacy Awards
Established by the Zora Neale Hurston and the Richard Wright Foundation, the Hurston/Wright Legacy Awards celebrate full-length works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and debut fiction by Black writers in the U.S. and across the African diaspora. Named in honor of two literary giants who transformed American storytelling, the awards recognize artistic excellence and social impact within contemporary Black literature. Winners and finalists join an esteemed community of writers whose work continues to shape cultural dialogue and expand the scope of Black literary achievement.
Website: hurstonwright.org
Genres: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Award Deadline: Spring (Annually)
Prize Amount: $1,000 and Publication
New Voices Award (Lee & Low Books)
Established by Lee & Low Books, the New Voices Award offers $2,000 and publication for an original children’s picture book manuscript written by a writer of color or an Indigenous writer. As one of the most respected diversity-driven publishing houses in the United States, Lee & Low created this award to address the stark underrepresentation of BIPOC voices in children’s literature. The prize not only provides publication through a nationally recognized press but also connects emerging authors with editors committed to authentic, inclusive storytelling that reflects the world children actually live in.
Website: leeandlow.com
Genres: Children’s Literature
Award Deadline: September (annually)
Prize Amount: $2,000 and Publication
MAGAZINE PRIZES
James Welch Prize (Poetry Northwest)
Presented by Poetry Northwest, the James Welch Prize honors two Indigenous poets each year for outstanding original poems that reflect the depth and diversity of contemporary Native writing. Named for the late James Welch (Blackfeet and A’aninin), a pioneering voice in Native American literature, the prize awards $500 to each winner and publication in Poetry Northwest. The contest serves as both recognition and record, spotlighting Indigenous poets who continue Welch’s legacy of honesty, resilience, and narrative reclamation.
Website: poetrynw.org
Genres: Poetry
Award Deadline: Fall (Annually)
Prize Amount: $500 per Poem
Jacobs/Jones African American Literary Prize
Administered by the North Carolina Writers’ Network, the Jacobs/Jones African American Literary Prize awards $1,000 to a Black writer living in North Carolina for an exceptional short story or essay exploring the richness and complexity of Black life. The winning work is also considered for publication in Carolina Quarterly, offering regional writers national visibility and professional recognition. Named for trailblazing North Carolina educators and community leaders Margaret Jacobs and Eugene Jones, the prize continues their legacy of cultivating education, creativity, and cultural expression within the state’s Black literary community.
Website: ncwriters.org
Genres: Short Fiction, Essays
Award Deadline: February (Annually)
Prize Amount: $1,000
FELLOWSHIP AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS
PEN America Emerging Voices Fellowship
Offered by PEN America, the Emerging Voices Fellowship is a five-month immersive mentorship program designed to support early-career writers from underrepresented and marginalized communities. Fellows receive one-on-one guidance from established authors, participate in professional development workshops, and engage with editors, agents, and publishers through curated networking events. The fellowship is both rigorous and transformative, helping writers refine their craft, navigate the publishing landscape, and build sustainable literary careers grounded in authenticity and purpose.
Website: pen.org
Genres: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Award Deadline: Fall (Annually)
Prize Amount: Mentorship and Career Support
Continue reading: PEN America: Defending Free Expression in Literature and Beyond.
Asian American Writers Margins Fellowship
Administered by the Asian American Writers’ Workshop (AAWW), the Margins Fellowship awards $5,000, mentorship, publication opportunities, and residency support to emerging Asian diasporic writers. The fellowship aims to amplify the voices of those often excluded from mainstream publishing and foster a new generation of storytellers who explore identity, migration, language, and belonging. Fellows work closely with mentors and editors through the AAWW’s platform, The Margins, developing original projects that push the boundaries of Asian American literature.
Website: aaww.org
Genres: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Award Deadline: Fall (Annually)
Prize Amount: $5,000, Mentorship, and Publication Support
Cave Canem Retreat
Founded as a haven for Black poets, the Cave Canem Retreat is a week-long residential program offering intensive workshops, craft talks, and readings in a deeply collaborative community setting. The retreat serves as the heart of Cave Canem’s mission to nurture Black poetic voices and create a supportive space where writers can challenge themselves artistically while forming lifelong connections. Many of today’s most celebrated poets, including Natasha Trethewey, Terrance Hayes, and Tracy K. Smith, have participated in this retreat, which continues to shape the landscape of contemporary American poetry.
Website: cavecanempoets.org
Genres: Poetry
Award Deadline: Annually (varies)
Prize Amount: Full Retreat Experience
Know of Other Literary Awards or Agencies Championing Diverse Authors?
We’re always looking to highlight more opportunities to uplift underrepresented voices in publishing. The disparities in the industry are clear—authors of color often receive lower book advances, face limited marketing and visibility, and see fewer of their stories in mainstream categories.
The #PublishingPaidMe movement, initiated by author L.L. McKinney, exposed striking inequalities in the industry, revealing that bestselling Black authors have received advances as low as $5,000. In contrast, lesser-known white authors have secured six-figure deals. Marketing strategies further exacerbate the divide, as books by authors of color are frequently categorized as “niche” or “multicultural,” thereby amplifying underrepresented voices rather than being promoted as mainstream fiction, which limits their reach and potential audience. This lack of visibility starts early. According to the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, only 29% of children's books published in 2022 featured a protagonist who was Black, Indigenous, or a person of color, highlighting the persistent gap in representation.
At For The Writers, we believe that publishing opportunities amplifying underrepresented voices is essential for fostering a truly inclusive literary landscape. Stories from BIPOC creators enrich our collective understanding, offering perspectives that challenge dominant narratives and inspire cultural change. By compiling this list of prizes, fellowships, and professional development programs, we aim to dismantle barriers and create pathways for emerging and established BIPOC talent to thrive.
We are committed to creating lasting change by advocating for equitable publishing opportunities and celebrating the powerful stories only BIPOC creators can tell. Explore the possibilities below, and take the next step toward sharing your voice with the world.
If you know of a literary award, grant, or agency dedicated to supporting diverse authors, drop us a note in the comments! Your recommendation could help amplify stories that deserve to be heard and ensure that more authors get the recognition and support they need.