While winning a book contest is by no means the only way to get published, it remains one of the more popularly sought after paths to publication. Although the field of literary publishing is still primarily populated by white editors and publishers, there are some POC-owned and directed publishers (we'll discuss these in a forthcoming post) and a number of new and well-established poetry book prizes that are judged by respected POC authors and which seek to champion work of writers from particular communities of color. If you're a POC poet with a book manuscript in need of a home, here's a list of upcoming contests you might want to try (in addition to the usual contests and publishers).
DEADLINE March 15 - Kundiman Poetry Prize
The Kundiman Poetry Prize is dedicated to publishing exceptional work by Asian American poets at any stage of their career. Winner receives $1,000 and book publication with Tupelo Press.
Manuscripts must be typed, paginated, and 50 – 70 pages in length.
Individual poems from the manuscript may have been previously published in magazines, anthologies, or chapbooks of less than 25 pages, but the collection as a whole must be unpublished. Translations and self-published books are not eligible. No multi-authored collections, please. No illustrations, photographs, or images should be included.
Submission fee: $28
The Kundiman Poetry Prize is judged by consensus of the members of Kundiman's Artistic Staff and the Tupelo Press Editorial Board.
For more information and to apply, visit http://kundiman.org/prize/
DEADLINE MaRCH 30 - Cave Canem Poetry Prize [1st BOOK]
Launched in 1999 with Rita Dove’s selection of Natasha Trethewey’s Domestic Work, the Cave Canem Prize is a first-book award dedicated to the discovery of exceptional manuscripts by black poets of African descent. Winner receives $1,000, publication by Graywolf Press in fall 2019, 15 copies of the book and a feature reading.
All unpublished, original collections of poems written in English by Black writers of African descent who have not had a full-length book of poetry published by a professional press. Authors of chapbooks and self-published books with a maximum print run of 500 may apply. Simultaneous submission to other book awards should be noted: immediate notice upon winning such an award is required. Winner agrees to be present in the continental United States at her or his own expense shortly after the book is published in order to participate in promotional reading(s).
Submission fee: $20
2018 Prize Judge: Chris Abani
For more information and to submit, visit http://cavecanempoets.org/prizes/cave-canem-poetry-prize/
Deadline April 15 - Cantomundo Poetry Prize
Every year the University of Arkansas Press together with CantoMundo accepts submissions for the CantoMundo Poetry Series and awards the $1,000 CantoMundo Poetry Prize to a book of poetry by a Latina/o writer. Since its founding in 2009, CantoMundo has cultivated and supported a community of Latina/o poets and the poetry they create, and the University of Arkansas Press has long been committed to publishing diverse kinds of poetry by a diversity of poets. The series editors are Deborah Paredez and Celeste Gúzman Mendoza, cofounders and codirectors of CantoMundo.
Manuscripts must be between forty-eight and ninety pages. Individual poems may have been published in chapbooks, journals, and anthologies. Work in translation is not accepted. No more than one manuscript per author. No more than one author per manuscript. Manuscripts under publication consideration or prize competition elsewhere are allowed provided we are notified immediately of their acceptance. Any author who has had a manuscript published in the series should not apply again until three years after the publication date of said volume.
Submission fee: $28
2019 Prize Judges / Series Editors: Deborah Paredez & Celeste Mendoza
For more information and to submit, visit https://uark.submittable.com/submit/83107/2019-cantomundo-poetry-prize
Deadline April 15 - Edel Adnan Poetry Prize (1st or 2nd Book)
Every year the University of Arkansas Press together with the Radius of Arab American Writers accepts submissions for the Etel Adnan Poetry Series and awards the $1,000 Etel Adnan Poetry Prize to a first or second book of poetry, in English, by a writer of Arab heritage. Since its founding in 1996 the Radius of Arab American Writers has celebrated and fostered the writings and writers that make up the vibrant and diverse Arab American community; and the University of Arkansas Press has long been committed to publishing diverse kinds of poetry by a diversity of poets. The series editors are Hayan Charara and Fady Joudah, and the prize is named in honor of the world-renowned poet, novelist, essayist, and artist Etel Adnan.
Only first or second full-length books of poetry may be submitted. Chapbooks are not considered as a previous publication in this regard. Manuscripts must be between forty-eight and ninety pages. Individual poems may have been published in chapbooks, journals, and anthologies. Work in translation is not accepted. No more than one manuscript per author. No more than one author per manuscript. Manuscripts under publication consideration or prize competition elsewhere are allowed provided we are notified immediately of their acceptance.
Submission fee: $25
Prize Judge / Series Editors: Hayan Charara & Fady Joudah
For more information and to submit, visit https://www.uapress.com/eteladnanpoetryseries/
Deadline April 16 - Cave Canem Northwestern University Press Poetry Prize (2nd book)
The Cave Canem Northwestern University Press Poetry Prize is a second-book award for black poets of African descent, offered every other year. This award celebrates and publishes works of lasting cultural value and literary excellence. Winner receives $1,000, publication by Northwestern University Press, 15 copies of the book and a feature reading.
All unpublished, original collections of poems written in English by Black poets of African descent who have had one full-length book of poetry published by a professional press (chapbooks and self-published works are excluded).Simultaneous submission to other book awards should be noted: immediate notification upon winning such an award is required.
Submission fee: $20
2018 Prize Judge: Matthew Shenoda
For more information and to submit, visit http://cavecanempoets.org/prizes/cave-canem-northwestern-university-press-poetry-prize/
