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December 2024: Top Writing Awards, Contests, and Grants to Elevate Your Career

  • Dec 10, 2024
  • 8 min read

Updated: Jun 16, 2025

Exploring Our Awards, Contests, and Grants Database


The Writing Contests, Grants and Awards database at For The Writers is unlike any other resource available today. It features a meticulously curated list of creative writing competitions, including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, novel awards, and more, all carefully selected by our editorial team on a weekly, monthly, and yearly basis.


What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to quality and integrity. Before adding any of the above to our database, we thoroughly review their practices, policies, and credibility to ensure our database remains the most trusted and reliable resource for legitimate writing contests. This dedication makes For The Writers the go-to destination for writers seeking vetted opportunities tailored to every stage of their creative journey and to foster confidence as they continue in their journey to publication and beyond.


Whether you’re an emerging voice or an established author, our database offers a comprehensive, up-to-date listing of writing contests you won’t find anywhere else, making it the only list of its kind designed with writers’ success in mind.



Explore Awards and Grants


CATEGORY: FICTION, CREATIVE NONFICTION


Friends of American Writers | Literature Award | December 14, 2024


An annual prize of $2,500 is awarded for a book of fiction or creative nonfiction published in the current year that is either set in the Midwest or written by a current or former Midwest resident (with at least five years of residence). The prize may be split among multiple winners. Eligible authors must have published no more than three books. Self-published works are not accepted.


Authors or publishers may submit two copies of books published in 2024, along with an author biography, by December 14. No entry fee is required. Visit the official website for complete submission guidelines.


Friends of American Writers, Literature Awards, 2616 Blackhawk Road, Wilmette, IL 60091. Carrie Brenner, Adult Literature Awards Committee Chair.

Story | Story Foundation Prize | December 15, 2024


An annual prize of $1,500 and publication in Story is awarded for a short story. Submit a story of up to 10,000 words using the online submission system by December 15. The $25 entry fee includes a subscription to Story. Visit the website for full submission guidelines.


Story, Story Foundation Prize, 312 E Kelso Road, Columbus, OH 43202. (314) 614-8759. Michael Nye, Editor in Chief.

Narratively | Memoir Prize | December 19, 2024


An annual prize of $3,000 and publication in Narratively will be awarded for a first-person memoir. Two runners-up will each receive $1,000 and publication. Jami Attenberg will judge. Submit an essay between 2,000 and 7,000 words using the online submission system by December 19. The $20 entry fee is waived for Narratively subscribers. Visit the website for full submission guidelines.


Narratively, Memoir Prize, 585 E. 35th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11203. Jesse Sposato, Executive Editor.

Black Caucus of the American Library Association | Literary Awards | December 31, 2024

Deadline: December 31, 2024

Entry Fee: None

Cash Prize: $1,000 (Four Individual Prizes Awarded)

Email: gladys.bell@hamptonu.edu

Website: bcala.org/awards-and-news/literary-awards


Four prizes of $1,000 each are awarded annually for a poetry collection, a debut novel, a book of fiction, and a book of nonfiction (including creative nonfiction) by African American writers published in the United States during the current year. The awards honor works that explore the cultural, historical, or sociopolitical aspects of the Black Diaspora.


Publishers may nominate books published in 2024 by December 31. There is no entry fee. Visit the official website for a list of jurors, submission instructions, and complete guidelines.


Black Caucus of the American Library Association | December 31, 2024

Literary Awards

129 William R. Harvey Way

Hampton, VA 23668

(757) 727-5185

Gladys Smiley Bell, Chair

Action, Spectacle | Prose & Poetry Chapbook Contest | December 31, 2024

Deadline: December 31, 2024

Entry Fee: $25

Cash Prize: $1,000

Email: actionspectacle23@gmail.com

Website: action-spectacle.com


A prize of $1,000, publication by Action, Spectacle, and 25 author copies will be awarded annually for a chapbook of poetry, prose, or hybrid-genre work. Submit a manuscript of 20 to 32 pages using the online submission system with a $25 entry fee by December 31.


Visit the official website for complete submission guidelines.


Action, Spectacle

Prose & Poetry Chapbook Contest

831 Mulberry Street, Louisville, KY 40217

(502) 609-2705

Adam Day, Publisher



Awards and Grants


CATEGORY: POETRY


Griffin Poetry | Griffin Trust for Excellence in Poetry | December 20, 2024

  • Cash Prize: $7,349

  • Entry Fee: $0

  • Application Deadline: 12/20/24

  • Genre: Poetry


A prize of $130,000 CAD (approximately $95,542 USD) is awarded annually for a poetry collection published during the current year, written in or translated into English. If the winning book is a translation, 60% of the prize goes to the translator and 40% to the poet. Finalists each receive $10,000 CAD (approximately $7,349 USD) and participate in the Griffin Poetry Prize Readings in Toronto.


Publishers may submit four copies of a book at least 48 pages in length, published between July 1 and December 31, by December 20. The submission deadline for books published in the first half of the year was June 21. Self-published books are not accepted. No entry fee is required. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete submission guidelines.


Griffin Trust for Excellence in Poetry, Griffin Poetry Prize, 363 Parkridge Crescent, Oakville, Ontario L6M 1A8, Canada. (905) 618-0420. Ruth A. Smith, Executive Director.

Center For Book Arts | Poetry Chapterbook Contest | December 20, 2024


The Center for Book Arts awards an annual prize of $500 and letterpress publication for a poetry chapbook. The winner receives 10 printed copies of their chapbook, an additional $500 honorarium for a reading alongside the contest judge at the Center for Book Arts in New York City in Fall 2025, and a weeklong residency at Millay Arts in Austerlitz, New York, as part of their Wintertide Rustic Retreat.


Submit a manuscript of up to 21 pages (or 450 lines) with a $30 entry fee by December 20, 2024. Visit the website for full submission guidelines.


Center for Book Arts, Poetry Chapbook Contest, 28 West 27th Street, Third Floor, New York, NY 10001. (212) 481-0295. Camilo Otero, Artists Programs Manager.

Codehill Press | Pauline Uchmanowicz Poetry Award | December 30, 2024

A prize of $1,000, publication by Codhill Press, and 25 author copies is awarded annually for a poetry collection. James Sherwood will judge. All submissions are considered for publication.


Submission Instructions:Submit a manuscript of 48 to 70 pages with a $30 entry fee by December 30, 2024. Visit the website for complete submission guidelines.


Codhill Press

Pauline Uchmanowicz Poetry Award

331 Station RoadHighland, NY 12528

James Sherwood, Contest Coordinator

Tupelo Press | Dorset Prize | December 31, 2024


A prize of $3,000, publication by Tupelo Press, and 25 author copies is awarded annually for a poetry collection. The winner also receives a two-week residency at Gentle House in Port Angeles, Washington. All submissions are considered for publication.


Submission Instructions: Submit a manuscript of 48 to 88 pages with a $30 entry fee by December 31, 2024. Visit the website for complete submission guidelines.


Tupelo PressDorset Prize

c/o Kristina Marie Darling, Editor in Chief

P.O. Box 1767

North Adams, MA 01247

(413) 664-9611

Two Sylvias Press | Wilder Series Poetry Book Prize | December 31, 2024


A prize of $1,000, publication by Two Sylvias Press, and 20 author copies will be awarded annually for a poetry collection by a writer over 50 who identifies as female, nonbinary AFAB, transgender woman, or genderqueer woman. The editors will judge, and all submissions are considered for publication.


Submission Instructions: Submit a manuscript of 48 to 80 pages with a $24 entry fee by December 31, 2024. Visit the website for complete submission guidelines.


Two Sylvias Press

Wilder Series Poetry Book Prize

P.O. Box 1524

Kingston, WA 98346

Michigan Quarterly Review | Laurence Goldstein Prize in Poetry | December 31, 2024



A prize of $1,000 and publication in Michigan Quarterly Review is awarded annually for a single poem. Cyrus Cassells will judge. All submissions are considered for publication.


Submission Instructions: Submit up to five poems totaling no more than 10 pages using the online submission system with a $20 entry fee by December 31, 2024. Visit the website for complete submission guidelines.


Michigan Quarterly Review

Poetry Contest

University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Poetry Society of America | Robert H. Winner Memorial Award | December 31, 2024

Deadline: December 31, 2024

Entry Fee: $15 (Free for PSA Members)

Cash Prize: $2,500

Email: info@poetrysociety.org

Website: poetrysociety.org


A prize of $2,500 and publication on the Poetry Society of America website is awarded annually to a poet over 40 who has published no more than one poetry collection.

Submission Instructions:Submit 10 pages of poetry using the online submission system with a $15 entry fee by December 31, 2024. There is no entry fee for PSA members. Visit the website for complete submission guidelines.


Poetry Society of America

Robert H. Winner Memorial Award

119 Smith Street

Brooklyn, NY 11201

(212) 254-9628

Poetry Society of America Alice Fay Di Castagnola Award | December 31, 2024


Deadline: December 31, 2024

Entry Fee: $15 (Free for PSA Members)

Cash Prize: $1,000

Email: info@poetrysociety.org

Website: poetrysociety.org


A prize of $1,000 and publication on the Poetry Society of America website is awarded annually for poetry from a manuscript-in-progress. Submit 10 pages of poetry using the online submission system with a $15 entry fee by December 31. PSA members submit free of charge.


For complete guidelines, visit the official website.


Poetry Society of America

Alice Fay Di Castagnola Award

119 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

(212) 254-9628

The Moth | Poetry Prize | December 31, 2024


A grand prize of €6,000 (approximately $6,605) will be awarded annually for a single poem, with three runners-up receiving €1,000 (approximately $1,101) each. All four shortlisted poets, including the winner, will be published in the Irish Times and invited to read at an online awards ceremony in spring 2025. Esteemed poet Fiona Benson will serve as the judge. Submit any number of poems of any length with a €15 (approximately $17) entry fee per poem by December 31. Visit the official website for the required entry form and complete submission guidelines.


The Moth, Poetry Prize, Ardan Grange, Milltown, Belturbet, County Cavan, Ireland H14 K768. Rebecca O’Connor, Editor.

Ohio University Press | Hollis Summers Poetry Prize | December 31, 2024

Deadline: December 31, 2024

Entry Fee: $30

Cash Prize: $1,000

Email: welchs@ohio.edu

Website: ohioswallow.com/poetry-prize


A prize of $1,000 and publication by Ohio University Press is awarded annually for a poetry collection. This year’s judge is Natalie Shapero. Submit a manuscript of 60 to 95 pages using the online submission system with a $30 entry fee by December 31.

Visit the official website for complete submission guidelines.


Ohio University Press

c/o Sally Welch, Acquisitions Administrator

Hollis Summers Poetry Prize

Ohio University, Alden Library, Suite 10130

Park Place, Athens, OH 45701

(740) 593-1154

Poetry Society of America | Robert H. Winner Memorial Award

Deadline: December 31, 2024

Entry Fee: $15 (Free for PSA Members)

Cash Prize: $2,500

Contact:Email: info@poetrysociety.org

Website: poetrysociety.org


A prize of $2,500 and publication on the Poetry Society of America website is awarded annually to a poet over 40 who has published no more than one poetry collection. Submit 10 pages of poetry through the online submission system with a $15 entry fee by December 31. PSA members submit free of charge.


For complete submission guidelines, visit the official website.


Poetry Society of America

Robert H. Winner Memorial Award

119 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

(212) 254-9628


1 Comment

Unknown member
Dec 10, 2024

I have been looking for something like this! Thank you so much!

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