Calls for Submissions May 2021
April 7, 2021
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
Raymond Carver Short Story Contest
Eligibility: All writers
Prize: $2,000 + publication
Entry fee: $17
Deadline: May 15, 2021
Crook’s Corner Prize
Eligibility: Debut novels set predominantly in the American South, published btwn January 1, 2020 and May 15, 2021
Prize: $5,000
Entry Fee: $35
Deadline: May 15, 2021
Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction for Writers of Color Award
Eligibility: Emerging writers of color (unpublished preferred)
Prize: $2,000
Deadline: May 15, 2021
Masters Review Flash Fiction Contest
Eligibility: Emerging writers
Prize: $3,000 + publication
Entry fee: $20 (for up to 2 stories)
Deadline: May 30, 2021
BOA Short Fiction Prize
Eligibility: Writers who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or have DACA status, TPS or LPS
Prize: $1,000 + publication
Entry fee: $25
Deadline: May 31, 2021
Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction
Eligibility: All writers
Prize: $1,000 + publication
Entry fee: $30
Deadline: May 31, 2021
Aura Estrada Short Story Contest
Eligibility: All writers
Prize: $1,000 + publication
Entry fee: $20
Deadline: May 31, 2021
Poetry Contests
Loraine Williams Poetry Prize
Eligibility: All poets
Prize: $1,500 + publication
Entry fee: $15
Deadline: May 1, 2021
Stan & Tom Wick Poetry Prize
Eligibility: Poets who have not published a full-length volume of poetry
Prize: $2,500 + publication
Entry fee: $30
Deadline: May 1, 2021
Janet B. McCabe Poetry Prize
Eligibility: All poets
Prize: $1,500
Entry fee: $20
Deadline: May 15, 2021
Stanley Kunitz Memorial Prize
Eligibility: Poets under 40 years of age
Prize: $1,000
Entry fee: $15
Deadline: May 15, 2021
James Laughlin Award
Eligibility: Poets with 2nd full-length book of poetry coming out in the following calendar year
Prize: $5,000 + 1 week, all expenses paid stay at the Betsy Hotel in Miami
Deadline: May 15, 2021
Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize
Eligibility: Poets with a full-length book of poetry published in the previous calendar year
Prize: $25,000
Entry fee: $75
Deadline: May 15, 2021
Max Ritvo Poetry Prize
Eligibility: Poets without a published collection
Prize: $10,000 + publication
Entry fee: $25
Deadline: May 31, 2021
Guy Owen Prize
Eligibility: All poets
Prize: $1,000 + publication
Entry fee: $20
Deadline: May 31, 2021
Boston Review Annual Poetry Contest
Eligibility: All Poets
Prize: $1,000 and publication
Entry Fee: $20
Deadline: May 31, 2021
Multi-Genre Contests
Ploughshares Emerging Writers Contest
Eligibility: Writers who have not published a book
Prize: $2,000 + publication + review from Aevitas Creative Management
Entry fee: $24
Deadline: May 15, 2021