Calls for Submissions January 2025

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

Cai Emmons Fiction Award
Eligibility: All writers
Prize: $5,000 + publication
Entry fee: $25
Deadline: January 15, 2025

Nonfiction Contests

Ellen Meloy Fund for Desert Writers
Eligibility: Emerging, mid-career or established writers are all welcome to apply
Prize: $5,000
Entry Fee: $15
Deadline: January 15, 2025

Fund for Investigative Journalism Grant
Eligibility: Journalists with a letter of commitment from a publication for a specific story
Prize: up to $10,000
Deadline: January 27, 2025

Poetry Contests

Colorado Prize for Poetry
Eligibility: All poets
Prize: $2,500 + publication
Entry Fee: $28 online; $25 by mail
Deadline: January 14, 2025

Translation Contests

French-American Foundation Translation Prize
Eligibility: Translations published for the first time in the U.S. between January 1 and December 31, 2024
Prize: $10,000
Deadline: January 15, 2025

Multi-Genre Contests

Mississippi Review Prize
Eligibility: All writers except current of former students or employees of the University of  Southern Mississippi
Prize: $1,000 + publication
Entry Fee: $16 online; $15 by mail
Deadline: January 1, 2025

Iowa Review Awards
Eligibility: All writers and poets
Prize: $1,500
Entry Fee: $20
Deadline: January 31, 2025 (must be submitted during the month of January)

Writing Fellowships & Residencies

Steinbeck Fellowship in Creative Writing
Eligibility: New writers of any age and background
Prize: $15,000. Residency in the San José area is expected during the academic year.
Deadline: January 5, 2025

Yaddo
Eligibility: Any artist, except those enrolled in full time undergrad or graduate programs
Prize: 2-week to 2-month residencies
Application Fee: $35
Deadline: January 6, 2025

Olive B. O’Connor Fellowship in Creative Writing
Eligibility: Writers working on their first book
Prize: $57,100 + travel + health and life insurance
Deadline: January 6, 2025