While you have those poems that seem to come together thematically.
They would seem to ask that you allow them to go into the world and show their capabilities in a Chapbook.
Most of these poetry chapbook contests would accept your poems even though they have been independently published.
As long as you have not published them as a whole (Chapbook).
However, you would have to acknowledge their first publishers.
In this blogpost, I would share a list of twenty-six poetry Chapbook Contests you can send those poems.
Most of the contests accept submission internationally.
Let’s get started.
Before I share the list of contests.
What’s a poetry Chapbook?
A poetry Chapbook is a collection of poems in a book that spans from 10 – 40 pages.
How long is a Poetry Chapbook?
This ranges from 10-40 pages.
It quite depends on how long you want it to be within this range.
How many poems do you need for a Chapbook?
This depends on the length of your poem.
If your poem is not too long and occupies a page you would have the range of 10-40 poems following the page number of a Chapbook.
If you have longer poems that span over more than one page.
Keep in mind that a new poem must start on a new page.
Sorry, no sharing of pages.
Let’s dive in.
1.Bateau Chapbook Contests
Bateau press runs a Chapbook contest.
The contest is judged by the Bateau
Staff.
They are looking for a large variety of works Poetry, short fiction, short short fiction, microfiction, nano fiction, novella, and a collection of essays.
What I love about this contest is that even if you don’t win the competition you get a copy of the winning Chapbook or a Chapbook from their back catalog.
Reading fee
$14 fee with each entry.
If you are a writer short on funds you can work it out with them to get a free submission into the Chapbook Contest
Chapbook Length
20-30 pages
Multiple submission
Yes, but with a reading fee for each entry.
Prize
The winner gets $250 and 25 copies of the winning Chapbook.
Deadline
They accept submissions from Sept 1 – Dec 1.
Check Bateau Chapbook Contest here
2.Poetry Society Chapbook Fellowship
The Chapbook Fellowship was launched in the year 2003, to give an opportunity to new writers.
The competition is only open to US citizens or residents of the US who are yet to publish any full-length poetry collection.
You can submit previously published poems but would have to acknowledge the publishers.
Reading fee
$14
Chapbook Length
20 – 30 pages of poetry
Multiple submissions
No.
No collaborative work.
No translation.
Prize
$1000 and publication
Deadlines
October 1 – December 31, 2020
3.Center for Books Art
Center for Books Art hosts an annual poetry Chapbook Contest.
They accept translations.
Reading fee
$30
Chapbook Length
A single poem should not exceed 450 lines while a collection should not exceed 21 pages.
Multiple submissions
Not stated.
Check the website.
Prize
$ 500 and $500 honorarium for the Chapbook contest reading event in fall.
The winning Chapbook will be printed to 100 signed and numbered copies of which ten would be given to the author.
The winner also gets a week-long stay at the military colony for the Arts in Austerlitz, New York as their winter tide Rustic Retreat.
Ok, it’s not a winner take all. Two runners up will be selected as honorees and one poem will be printed from their Chapbook. The honorees will receive a $250 honorarium for reading in the fall.
Deadline
The program starts on December 18, 2020.
The winner will be announced in May 2021.
4.Anhinga Press
This contest was launched in 1983. It’s called the Anhinga–Robert Dana Prize for poetry.
The awards open to all poets writing in English from all over the world.
They accept previously published poems but with acknowledgment of the journals and anthologies.
Reading Fee
$ 28 for electronic submission while $25 for postal submissions
Chapbook Length
48-100 pages long full-length book
Multiple submissions
Yes but each with it’s reading fee
Prize
$2000 and publication by Anhinga Press
Deadline
February 15 – May 31
5.Slipstream Poetry Contest
The slipstream press is a nonprofit press founded in 1980.
They host an annual poetry Chapbook Contest.
They accept previously published poems but with acknowledgment of the journals and anthologies.
Reading Fee
$20
Chapbook Length
Up to 40 pages of Poetry of any style or theme
Multiple submissions
Not stated.
Prize
$1000 plus 50 printed copies of your book.
Everyone participating in the competition receives a copy of the winning Chapbook plus the classic issue of slipstream magazine worth $20.
The winning Chapbook is submitted to national and international poetry/ writing publications as well as Poets and Writers magazine.
Deadline
Dec 1 every year.
6. Button Poetry
The Button Poetry Chapbook Contest has been held since 2012.
The competition is judged anonymously.
They accept previously published poems as long as it’s not a full
manuscript that was published.
The contest also accepts prose poetry.
There is no strict style requirement.
They accept submissions from all over the world.
Reading Fee
$15 payment.
They accept submission through submittable.
Chapbook Length
20 – 30 pages of poetry
Multiple submissions
Yes. But the $15 entry is required for every entry
Prize
$500 honorarium plus 50 free author copies of the book.
Royalties for your book.
Deadline
November 16th, 2020 – January 8th, 2021.
Note: Entrants must be 18 years of age.
7. Omnidawn Poetry Contests
Omnidawn Publishing company organizes four poetry Contests of which poetry Chapbook is one of them.
The competition is open internationally to all writers.
Reading Fee
$18 if you have a US mailing address or can provide a mailing address for $2 you can receive the winning Chapbook or any other omnidawn Chapbook.
If you are looking for a free submission for your Chapbook.
They have 40 free entry passes at the beginning of the contest.
Chapbook Length
Submit 40 pages or less
Multiple submission
Yes
Prize
$1,000 with a full cover publication. 100 free copies of the winning book will be reviewed in major print publications including Boston Review, Kenyan Review, The Huffington Post, America Book Review.
Deadline
May 1–Jun 14, 2021
8. Diagram/New Michigan Press
Diagram Chapbook Contests is looking for interesting unpublished work as a whole.
They accept poetry and prose poetry.
Reading Fee
$20
Chapbook Length
18 – 44 pages
Multiple submissions
Yes multiple manuscripts are fine with entry fees for each
Prize
$1000 plus publication for both winning Chapbook and finalist Chapbook.
Deadline
April 30, 2021.
9. Black River Chapbook Competition
The competition is held twice every year. They are looking for an unpublished Chapbook of poems or prose.
Reading Fee
$15
Chapbook Length
16 – 36 pages in length
Multiple submissions
Yes
Prize
$500 and ten copies of the book
Deadline
Spring entry April 1 – May 31
Fall September 1 – October 31
Note you can send a collaborative Chapbook to them.
Check Black River Chapbook Contest
10. Rattle Chapbook Prize
The competition is open to writers worldwide.
Rattle America Poetry Magazine is the organizer of the contest.
Reading Fee
$25 a one-year subscription to Rattle
Chapbook Length
15 – 30 pages of poems in English.
Multiple submissions
Yes but each with a separate reading fee
Prize
$5000 and 500 author copies and distribution to over 7000 Rattle Subscribers.
Deadline
15 January 2021.
Check the Rattle Chapbook Contest
11. The Master’s Review
They publish Chapbook collections ranging from short fiction, essays, flash fiction, novellas.
They consider prose poetry Chapbooks.
Self-published Chapbooks are ineligible for submission.
Reading Fee
$25
Chapbook Length
25 – 40 pages
Multiple submissions
Yes
Prize
$3,000 plus manuscript publication and a one-month subscription to the journal and 50 contributor copies.
Deadline
November 15, 2020
12. Autumn House Chapbook Contest
The magazine publishes all styles of poetry.
They are open to international writers.
If your Chapbook was self-published you can submit it to them.
Reading Fee
$20
If you are undergoing financial difficulties you can reach out to them for a free Chapbook submission
Chapbook Length
15-30 pages
Multiple submissions
Yes, you can submit as many as you’d like, but you will be required to pay a reading fee for each.
Prize
The winner receives publication, 35 gratis copies, and a $1,000 advance against royalties.
Deadline
For 2020
August 1 – August 31
13. Frost place Chapbook Contest
The Frost Place Chapbook Contest is sponsored by the Bull city press.
The competition is open to all poets writing in English.
Reading Fee
$28
Chapbook Length
20 – 25 pages
Multiple submissions
Yes, but you must pay a $28.00 entry fee for each manuscript submitted.
Prize
The winner will receive 10 complimentary copies and a $250 stipend.
You also receive a full fellowship to attend the five and a half-day poetry seminar at Frost Place in August 2021 including room and board(cash value of $1500).
The winner would also give a featured reading from the Chapbook at the seminar.
The Chapbook fellow will have the option to spend a week living and writing in the Frost place House museum in September 2021.
Deadlines
October 1, 2020 – January 5, 2021.
Check Frost place Chapbook Contest
14. Wells College Press Chapbook Competition
As of the time I am writing this post the contest is currently on hold until late 2020.
You can sign up for their newsletter to be informed when the submission window opens.
Reading Fee
$20
Chapbook Length
18 – 30 pages
Multiple submissions
Yes, you can submit multiple entries with an individual reading fee.
Prize
The author of the winning Chapbook will receive 15 copies of the letterpress printed, handsewn book.
There would also be an invitation to read from your book at Wells College.
You will also receive a $1,000 honorarium plus room and boarding for the reading.
They will print 150 signed and numbered copies.
Deadlines
Check the Wells College Press Chapbook Contest
15. Jacar Press Poetry Chapbook Competition
The competition held by the Jacar Press
Reading Fee
$10
Chapbook Length
20-30 pages of poems
Multiple submissions
You may submit more than one manuscript, but there is a separate fee for each manuscript submitted, and each manuscript must be submitted separately.
Prize
The winner of the competition receives publication and a contract with 30% of all sales after the first 200 books are sold.
Deadlines
JANUARY 1 – APRIL 30, 2021.
Check Jacar Press Chapbook Contest
16. Floating Bridge Press(FBP) Chapbook Competition
The competition began in 1995.
The annual contest is open to Washington State Poets and the works are judged anonymously.
Reading Fee
$13
Chapbook Length
20-30 pages of poetry
Multiple submissions
Not stated
Prize
$500 plus 15 copies of your Chapbook.
You also get promotion and distribution of the Chapbook.
Three or four finalists will receive $50 each.
Deadlines
November 1st to March 15th.
Check Floating Press Poetry Chapbook Contest
17. Emrys Chapbook Contest
They are looking for a single author Chapbook originally written in English.
Reading Fee
$25
Chapbook Length
24 to 28 pages in length.
Multiple submissions
Not stated
Prize
$1000 honorarium and publication of 20 copies.
An invitation as a guest for one week to the Rensing center a gorgeous arts/writing retreat.
Deadlines
Entries must be filed between 12:01 a.m. April 10 and midnight Jul 1, 2020.
18. Tupelo Press Snowbound Chapbook Award
The manuscripts are judged anonymously.
The competition is open to all writers writing in the English Language in the US or abroad.
Published or unpublished writers can submit.
Note: collection must not have been published as a whole.
Reading Fee
$25
Chapbook Length
20 – 36 pages
Multiple submissions
Yes.
Multiple submissions are accepted, so long as each submission is accompanied by a separate reading fee.
Prize
“The Snowbound Chapbook Award includes a cash award of $1,000 in addition to publication by Tupelo Press, 25 copies of the winning title, a book launch, and national distribution with energetic publicity and promotion”
Deadlines
February 29, 2020.
19. Iron Horse Review
The iron horse review Chapbook contest is organized by the Iron Horse Literary Review Magazine.
Reading Fee
$15 includes a one-year subscription to Iron Horse Review.
They also have a free submission day where they accept 20 free submissions.
Check the iron horse review website for details.
However, you will not get a free subscription.
Chapbook Length
28-36
Each poem starting on a page.
Multiple submissions
Yes
Only three manuscripts by any one author during any one academic year; subsequent manuscripts by the same author will be automatically rejected.
Prize
$1,000 plus 15 copies of the book.
Deadlines
January 15 and March 15.
Check Iron Horse Review Contest
20. Tiny fork Chapbook series
The hunger journal runs a Chapbook series called tiny fork series every summer they accept submissions of Chapbook manuscripts.
Reading Fee
$10
Chapbook Length
15 – 40 pages
Multiple submissions
Not stated.
Prize
“Two winners will be selected, and will each receive publication with The Hunger Press, $100 prize, and 10 copies of their chapbook. “
“Additional finalists will be considered for publication and, if selected, will receive 10 copies of their chapbook.”
Deadlines
June 1 – September 1, 2021
21. Chestnut Review Poetry Chapbook Contest
The contest is sponsored by Duotrope.
Reading Fee
$15
Chapbook Length
25 – 30 pages
Multiple submissions
Yes. Each submission must be accompanied by the submission fee.
Prize
$600 and twenty copies of the Chapbook in hard copy with a 2-year Duotrope certificate ($100).
The winning Chapbook will be advertised in chestnut reviews and featured on Amazon.
They would interview the author.
Deadlines
1 November 2020 to 31 December 2020.
Check chestnut Review Poetry Chapbook Contest
22.Cut Bank Contests
The cutbank Chapbook Contest accepts original poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction by a single author.
Reading Fee
$20
Chapbook Length
25 – 40 pages
Multiple submissions
Yes. Each submission must be accompanied by the submission fee. you will get a copy of the cutbank for each submission.
Prize
$1,000 honorarium plus 25 copies of the published book.
Two runners up will be selected for publication.
Deadlines
January 1 – May 31
Check cutbank Chapbook Contest
23. Grayson Books
Grayson Books runs two poetry contests every year.
Reading fee
$20
Chapbook Length
16 – 32 pages of poetry
Multiple submissions
Yes they accept multiple submissions
Prize
$500 publication of Chapbook and 50 copies.
Deadline
January 31
If you are interested in the full-length poetry contest.
24. The Poetry Box Chapbook Prize
The competition is open to writers living in the United States.
Reading fee
$25
Chapbook Length
18 – 30 pages
Multiple submissions
Yes
Each submission must be accompanied by the submission fee.
Prize
1st prize:$500 plus 10 copies of published Chapbook
As well as the distribution of the winning title to all contest entrants.
2nd prize: $100 plus 5 copies of published Chapbook
3rd prize: $50 plus 5 copies of their published Chapbook.
Once in a while, they offer publication to other finalists
Deadline
1-28 February 2021
Check poetry box Chapbook Contest
25. Twocup Press Chapbook Contests
The contest is held by two cup Press.
Reading fee
$10
Chapbook Length
15 – 25 pages of poetry
Multiple submissions
No
Prize
The winner receives 25 copies of the Chapbook
Two finalists get 10 copies of their work.
Deadline
Submission open April 15 – June 15
26. Seven Kitchen Press
The keystone Chapbook submissions are considered annually from June 1 – July 15.
The press is looking for an unpublished poetry manuscript from a Pennsylvania writer.
Reading fee
Free.
You can support the magazine if you can.
Chapbook Length
16-24 pages
Multiple submissions
Not stated.
Prize
25 copies of Chapbook distribution and promotion.
“Two manuscripts, one by a writer with, and one by a writer without, previous book or chapbook publication, will be selected for publication in the Keystone Chapbook Series in a limited edition of 100 copies.”
“Each winning poet will receive 25 copies of their chapbook, which will be designed, printed, and hand-assembled by Seven Kitchens Press. Additionally, the publisher will distribute ten review copies to reviewers, libraries, and organizations at the author’s recommendation.”
Deadline
June 1 – July 15.
Conclusion
We have looked at twenty-six poetry chapbook contests most of which are international Poetry Contests.
For me this year I would be editing and formatting my poems to send to the free options first before checking out the paid ones.
The reading fee soon adds up.
That’s just me.
I want to hear from you which of the poetry Chapbook Contests are you going to try first.
Let me know in the comments section.
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