Contests for Already Published (Poetry) Books – Updated August 2023

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If anyone knows of additional contests for already published books (or galleys), please post a comment and I will add to the list.

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Recent update in May 2023: Added Ohioana Book Awards. Fixed a couple of broken links.

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BOOK AWARDS FOR POETRY BOOKS

Note: advice of most of these contests is to submit book as soon as possible during submission period.

Colorado Book Awards (includes poetry – must be Colorado resident or have a strong Colorado influence)
sponsor: Colorado Humanities & Center for the Book
cost to enter:  $53.00 (plus 7 copies of book mailed to organizers)
prize: n/a
submission/entry by: publisher, author or others
POD or self-publishing restrictions: none
deadline: January 7
https://coloradohumanities.org/programs/colorado-book-awards/

Northern California Book Award – must be Northern California author (includes poetry)
sponsor: Northern California Book Reviewers and Poetry Flash
cost to enter:  Three copies of book mailed to organizers
prize: various distinctions, including $1,000 for the Fred Cody Award
submission/entry by: publisher or author
POD or self-publishing restrictions: none
deadline: January 13, 2023 (2024 deadline not yet announced)
https://poetryflash.org/programs/?p=ncba

The Eric Hoffer Award for Independent Books (includes poetry)
sponsor: The Eric Hoffer Project
cost to enter:  $60.00 (early bird rate until December 14)
grand prize for independent books: $2,500; other awards & distinctions given as well, including the da Vinci eye award
submission/entry by: publisher, author or others
POD or self-publishing restrictions: none
deadline: January 21
http://www.hofferaward.com/

Foreword Reviews INDIES Book of the Year Awards – poetry category
sponsor: Foreword Magazine
cost to enter: $79 (early bird until June 30), plus 2 copies of book
prize: publicity of being first, second or third place in category, marketing package that includes book seals. Money only awarded to one best “fiction” and one best “non-fiction”
submission/entry by: publisher or author
POD or self-publishing restrictions: self-published are eligible
deadline: January 31
https://awards.forewordreviews.com/

The Balcones Poetry Prize
sponsor: Austin Community College
cost to enter: 3 copies of book plus $25 nomination fee
prize: $1,500
submission/entry by: publisher, author or others
POD or self-publishing restrictions: none
deadline: January 31
http://sites.austincc.edu/crw/balcones-prizes/

Levis Reading Prize (1st or 2nd book of poetry)
sponsor: Virginia Commonwealth University, Dept. of English
cost to enter: 3 copies of the book
prize: $5000 & expenses paid to give reading at VCU in Richmond
submission/entry by: author or publisher
POD or self-publishing restrictions: no self-published, no vanity presses
deadline: February 1
https://english.vcu.edu/mfa/levis-reading-prize/

Paterson Poetry Prize
sponsor: The Poetry Center at Passaic County Community College
cost to enter: 2 copies of book
prize: $1,000
submission/entry by: publisher
POD or self-publishing restrictions: minimum press run of 500 copies
deadline: February 1
http://www.poetrycenterpccc.com/awards/

Devil’s Kitchen Reading Award in Poetry (ON HIATUS UNTIL 2022)
sponsor: Southern Illinois Univ. Carbondale & GRASSROOTS
cost to enter: $20.00 plus one copy of book
prize: $1,000 & reading at Devil’s Kitchen Fall Literary Festival
submission/entry by: publisher or author
POD or self-publishing restrictions: no vanity press or self-published books
deadline: February 1
https://grassroots.siu.edu/devils-kitchen/

Library of Virginia Literary Awards (VA writer)
sponsor: Library of Virginia
cost to enter: 4 copies of the book
prize: $2,500 and engraved crystal book
submission/entry by: anyone
POD or self-publishing restrictions: none
deadline: February 10
http://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/litawards/index.htm

Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY)
sponsor: Jenkins Group Publishing Services
cost to enter: $95/title/category (early entry), plus a copy of the book
prize: Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals in each of 72 categories
submission/entry by: author or publisher
POD or self-publishing restrictions: none
deadline: February 19 (was extended to February 28 in 2022)
https://ippyawards.com/

Milton Kessler Poetry Book Award (postponed due to COVID-19)
sponsor: Binghamton University
cost to enter: 2 copies, plus entry form
prize: $1,000
submission/entry by: publisher or author
POD or self-publishing restrictions: minimum press run of 500 copies
deadline: March 1
https://binghamton.edu/english/creative-writing/binghamton-center-for-writers/kessler-guidelines.html

Brockman-Campbell Book Award (poetry book by NC-born or NC-resident poet)
sponsor: North Carolina Poetry Society
cost to enter: 1 copy of book, bio, $20 for non-members, $10 for members
prize: $200 plus invitation to read at fall meeting of NCPS
submission/entry by: author
POD or self-publishing restrictions: none
deadline: May 1
http://www.ncpoetrysociety.org/bcaward/

James Laughlin Award (2nd book)
sponsor: Academy of American Poets
cost to enter: 4 copies of the manuscript
prize: $5,000 & one-week residency at The Betsy Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida
submission/entry by: publisher
POD or self-publishing restrictions: published by a press with at least 4 previous books of poetry
deadline: May 15
http://www.poets.org/academy-american-poets/prizes/james-laughlin-award

Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize
sponsor: American Academy of Poets
cost to enter: $75, plus four copies of the book
prize: $25,000
submission/entry by: publisher
POD or self-publishing restrictions: minimum press run of 500; self-published not eligible
deadline: January 1-May 15
http://www.poets.org/academy-american-poets/prizes/lenore-marshall-poetry-prize

Thorpe Menn Literary Excellence Award (not only poetry books) (must reside in greater Kansas City area – Jackson, Cass, Clay, Lafayette and Platte counties in Missouri; or Johnson, Leavenworth and Wyandotte counties in Kansas)
sponsors: American Association of University Women-Kansas City Branch and the Kansas City Public Library
cost to enter: 2 copies of book
prize: $500 check, certificate of recognition, and listing on the library’s website
submission/entry by: anyone
POD or self-publishing restrictions: No text books, guide books, or how-to manuals. Previous winners not eligible.
deadline: June 1
http://kansascity-mo.aauw.net/events/thorpe-menn-literary-award/

Pulitzer Prize
sponsor: Pulitzer
cost to enter: $50.00, plus four copies of the book
prize: $10,000
submission/entry by: anyone
POD or self-publishing restrictions: none
deadlines: June 15 (for books pub’d 1/1-6/15); Oct 1 (for books pub’d 6/15-12/31)
http://www.pulitzer.org

Housatonic Book Awards (for five categories, including poetry)
sponsor: Western Connecticut State University MFA program, in conjunction with the MFA Alumni Writers’ Cooperative
cost to enter: $25 plus a copy of the book and a completed entry form
prize: $1,000 for appearance at MFA residency in January, plus $500 travel stipend and hotel stay
submission/entry by: publisher, author, agent, or legal representative of author
POD or self-publishing restrictions: none
deadline: June 15
http://housatonicbookawards.wordpress.com/

Towson University Prize for Literature (for book by Maryland authors)
sponsor: Towson University
cost to enter: 3 copies of the book
prize: $1,000
submission/entry by: author
POD or self-publishing restrictions: no self-published books
deadline: June 15
http://www.towson.edu/cla/departments/english/documents/towson_prize_for_literature_rev.pdf

Poetry Book Awards (for indie writers, self published authors or books published by independent or small presses)
sponsor: n/a
cost to enter: ₤25
prize: 1st prize receives ₤200 (plus 1-yr sub. to PN); 2nd prize gets ₤100; 3rd prize gets ₤50 (plus all get promotion by PBA)
submission/entry by: author or publisher
POD or self-publishing restrictions: none
deadline: June 30
http://www.poetrybookawards.co.uk/

Nebraska Book Awards (books that are written by Nebraska authors, published by Nebraska publishers, set in Nebraska, or concerning Nebraska; poetry is one of the categories)
sponsor: Nebraska Center for the Book
cost to enter: $40 per book, per category, plus copies of the book (see entry form for specifics)
prize: Distinctive certificate, permission to display award sticker on cover of books, books on display at ceremony and ability to sell books at the ceremony
submission/entry by: anyone
POD or self-publishing restrictions: Books must be “professionally published, have an ISBN, and be bound.”
deadline: June 30
http://centerforthebook.nebraska.gov/awards/nebookawards.html

National Book Award
sponsor: National Book Foundation
cost to enter: $135
prize: $10,000 top prize for poetry book; $1000 to each finalist
submission/entry by: publisher
POD or self-publishing restrictions: self-published is okay only if the “author/publisher also publishes titles by other authors”
deadline: July 1
http://www.nationalbook.org

Kate Tufts Discovery Award (for a 1st book)
sponsor: Claremont Graduate University
cost to enter: 8 copies of the book
prize: $10,000
submission/entry by: author
POD or self-publishing restrictions: none
deadline: July 1
http://www.cgu.edu/tufts/

Kingsley Tufts Award
sponsor: Claremont Graduate University
cost to enter: 8 copies of the book
prize: $100,000 and 1-week residency at Claremont
submission/entry by: author, publisher, or agent/rep
POD or self-publishing restrictions: none
deadline: July 1
http://www.cgu.edu/tufts/

Great Lakes Colleges Association New Writers Award (1st books)
sponsor: Great Lakes Colleges Association
cost to enter: four copies of the book
prize: All expenses paid trips to several of the GLCA colleges, each of which pays an honorarium of $500
submission/entry by: publisher
POD or self-publishing restrictions: no self-published
deadline: July 25
https://glca.org/glcaprograms/new-writers-award (cut and paste into browser if link does not work)

Eugene Paul Nassar Poetry Prize (for book of poems by an Upstate New York poet)
sponsor: Utica College
cost to enter: entry form, CV, plus two copies of the book
prize: $2000, reading at Utica College, meeting with students in master class
submission/entry by: publisher or author
POD or self-publishing restrictions: no self-published or vanity press
deadline: August 31
http://www.utica.edu/academic/as/english/nassar/index.cfm

Drake University Emerging Writer Award (1st books, 2013 is novels; check future for poetry)
sponsor: Drake University Writers & Critics Series
cost to enter: one copy of the book, cover letter
prize: $1000 plus travel and lodging for a reading at the University
submission/entry by: author or publisher
POD or self-publishing restrictions: no vanity presses or self-published books
deadline: September 15
Send to: Drake University Emerging Writer Award,  c/o Nancy Reincke, Writers and Critics Series,  English Department, Howard Hall,  Drake University,  2507 University Ave,  Des Moines, IA 50311
email: nancy.reincke@drake.edu
http://www.drake.edu/english/susanglaspellwriterscriticsseries/

Phillip H. McMath Post Publication Book Award (various genres, incl. poetry)
sponsor: University of Central Arkansas Foundation
cost to enter: $25, plus one copy of the book
prize: $500 honorarium, plus travel expenses to the UCA Arkatext Literary Festival (must agree to read there as a winner)
submission/entry by: author, publisher, or agent/rep
POD or self-publishing restrictions: no self-published
deadline: October 15
https://arkansaswriters.wordpress.com/philip-k-mcmath-post-publication-book-award-genre-unlimited/

Hurston/Wright Legacy Award (books by writers of African descent, various genres incl. poetry)
sponsor: Hurston/Wright Foundation
cost to enter: $30, plus four copies of the book
prize: announcement at the annual Gala fundraiser
submission/entry by: publisher (self-published authors may nominate themselves)
POD or self-publishing restrictions: none
deadline: November 17
http://www.hurstonwright.org/book-submissions/

UNT Rilke Prize (for a mid-career poet with at least two previous books of poetry)
sponsor: University of North Texas
cost to enter: two copies of book and completed entry form
prize: $10,000 plus travel expenses for trip to Texas to give readings at UNT and at The Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture
submission/entry by: author or publisher
POD or self-publishing restrictions: no self-published books
deadline: November 30
http://english.unt.edu/creative-writing/poetryprize

Lambda Literary Awards (LBGT content relevance, not based on orientation of writer)
sponsor: Lambda Literary
cost to enter: $45 plus a copy of the book
prize: award and ceremony
submission/entry by: author or publisher
POD or self-publishing restrictions: none
deadline: December 1
http://www.lambdaliterary.org/awards/

National Book Critics Circle Award
sponsor: National Book Critics Circle
cost to enter: 1 copy of book to a board member, if they’re interested, they will request one for each board member
prize: fabulous publicity, awards ceremony in NYC
submission/entry by: publisher
POD or self-publishing restrictions: no self-published
deadline: December 1
http://www.bookcritics.org/awards/

Thomas and Lillie D. Chaffin Award for Appalachian Writing
sponsor: Morehead State University
cost to enter: four copies of a book
prize: $1000, plus invitation to speak at award ceremony
submission/entry by: publisher or author
POD or self-publishing restrictions: none
deadline: December 1
http://www.moreheadstate.edu/Caudill-College-of-Arts,-Humanities-and-Social-Sci/English/Chafin-Award

Pushcart Prize (for individual poems from published poetry collections)
sponsor: Pushcart Prize
cost to enter: none (up to six entries from a single publisher)
prize: publication in annual Pushcart Prize anthology
submission/entry by: publisher
POD or self-publishing restrictions: none
deadline: December 1
http://www.pushcartprize.com

Minnesota Book Awards (various genres, including poetry books by MN writers)
sponsor: The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library
cost to enter: $45, plus 5 copies of the book
prize: invitation to awards gala, unclear if there is a monetary award
submission/entry by: author, publisher, or agent
POD or self-publishing restrictions: none
deadline: December 4
http://thefriends.org/events/mnba/

Norma Farber First Book Award (for a first book)
sponsor: Poetry Society of America
cost to enter: $15 for non-members
prize: $500
submission/entry by: publisher
POD or self-publishing restrictions: “standard edition”; no self-published
deadline: December 22
https://poetrysociety.org/awards

William Carlos Williams Award
sponsor: Poetry Society of America
cost to enter: $15 for non-members
prize: purchase prize between $500-$1000
submission/entry by: publisher
POD or self-publishing restrictions: “standard edition”; no self-published
deadline: December 22
http://www.poetrysociety.org/awards

Midwest Book Awards (poetry is a category; for publishers located in the 12-state region: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin)
sponsor: Midwest Independent Publishers Association
cost to enter: $70 per title for one category; $30 for each additional category (for MIPA members, non-member fees are higher)
prize: finalists and winners receive certificate and invitation to gala; winners receive medallion; finalists and winners can purchase seals to put on front cover of books
submission/entry: publishers only
POD or self-publishing restrictions: entries must have a copyright page and ISBN with publisher details
deadline: December 30
http://www.mipa.org/midwest-book-awards

Book Award (2016 is “in Poetry”; 2017 is “in Fiction”; 2018 is “in Creative Nonfiction”)(author must have Kansas connection)
sponsors: Center for Kansas Studies, Thomas Fox Averill Kansas Studies Collection at Mabee Library, and the Friends of Mabee Library
cost to enter: two copies of the book
prize: $1000 and invitation to Mabee Library for reading and presentation ceremony
submission/entry by: anyone
POD or self-publishing restrictions: none
deadline: December 31
http://www.washburn.edu/mabee/ksbookaward/

American Book Awards
sponsor: Before Columbus Foundation
cost to enter: two copies of the book
prize: 10 to 18 awards
submission/entry by: anyone
POD or self-publishing restrictions: none
deadline: December 31
http://www.beforecolumbusfoundation.com/

Ohioana Book Awards (only Ohioans eligible for most categories)
sponsor: Ohioana Library
cost to enter: two copies of the book
prize: awards in multiple genres (Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, MG/YA, Juvenile Fiction, Readers’ Choice, About Ohio or being an Ohioan) and one grant for an emerging writer
submission/entry by: anyone
POD or self-publishing restrictions: must be traditionally published
deadline: December 31
http://www.ohioana.org/programs/ohioana-book-awards/

Griffin Poetry Prize
sponsor: Griffin Trust for Excellence in Poetry
cost to enter: four copies of a book, plus press materials
prize: $65,000 (Canadian)
submission/entry by: publisher
POD or self-publishing restrictions: no self-published
deadline: December 31
http://www.griffinpoetryprize.com

Julie Suk Prize for Best Poetry Book
sponsor: Jacar Press
cost to enter: two copies of book, plus $10 reading fee
prize: $500, and invitation to North Carolina for a reading and workshop
submission/entry by: anyone
POD or self-publishing restrictions: independent, non-major presses only
deadline: December 31
http://jacarpress.com/suk-award/

PEN Center Book Awards (poetry is one of several categories, writers west of the Mississippi River)
sponsor: PEN Center USA
cost to enter: 4 copies of book, plus $35 fee, plus application form
prize: $1000, one-year membership in PEN Center USA, invitation to annual Literary Awards Festival
submission/entry by: authors, publishers, agents, or publicists
POD or self-publishing restrictions: no POD or self-published books
deadline: December 31
https://pen.org/literary-awards/