Announcing the 2026 Omnidawn Poetry Open Book Contest
judged by Julie Carr
We’re excited to read your work!
Every person who submits to an Omnidawn contest in 2026 will receive a 20% discount on all Omnidawn books sold through our distributor, and 20% off all Omnidawn classes. We offer two writing classes per year, one in the fall and one in spring.
how to submit: via submittable
https://omnidawn.submittable.com/submit
judge: Julie Carr
deadline: July 1 to August 16, 2026 at 11:58 pm Pacific
contest fee: $30
prize: $3000, and 20 printed copies
Omnidawn Poetry Open Book Contest guidelines for submitting: here
Suggested manuscript length:
—Approximately 40 pgs to 100 pgs for submitting in an 8.5 x 11 size page
—Approximately 60 pgs to 120 pgs for submitting in a 6 x 9 size page
It’s up to you!
See past winners of the Omnidawn Open Poetry Book Contest
Note – Contest winners are announced 7-9 months after a contest closes. We take this amount of time because our year-round, paid, poetry editors carefully read the work, then discuss it in two extensive meetings, and send forward the highest ranking manuscripts to the judge, who also takes time to make their selection.
Omnidawn is a nonprofit independent press. All contest submission fees go to support Omnidawn Publishing, to pay our staff of poetry editors, to compensate the judge, and to pay a prize to the contest winner. All submission fees and donations large or small meaningfully contribute to our operating costs, and to our ability to continue publishing works of literary insight and cultural vitality.
Upcoming Poetry and Fiction Contests
2026 Omnidawn Fabulist Fiction Contest:
9/1 to 10/16
Judged by Selah Saterstrom
Prize: $1000, publication, and 20 copies
Contest fee: $25
Suggested manuscript length: 7,500 to 17,500 words
guidelines and recommendations for the Fabulist Fiction Contest here
see past winners of the Omnidawn Fabulist Fiction Chapbook Contest
To receive email deadline alerts for poetry contests click here
2027 Omnidawn 1st/2nd Poetry Book Contest:
1/1 to 2/16
Judged by tba
Prize: $3000, publication, and 20 copies
Contest fee: $28
Suggested manuscript length:
—Approximately 40 pgs to 100 pgs for submitting in an 8.5 x 11 size page
—Approximately 60 pgs to 120 pgs for submitting in a 6 x 9 size page
guidelines and recommendations for the 1st/2nd Poetry Book Contest here
see past winners of the Omnidawn 1st/2nd Poetry Book Contest
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2027 Omnidawn “Single Poem” Broadside Contest:
3/1 to 4/16
Judged by tba
Prize: $1000, publication, and 20 copies
Contest fee:
option 1 – $13 for one poem
option 2 – $17 for two poems
option 3 – $28 for up to five poems
Suggested poem length: Any poem that fits on one 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of paper. Show us what you can do!
guidelines and recommendations for the “Single Poem” Broadside Contest here
see past winners of the “Single Poem” Broadside Contest
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2027 Omnidawn Poetry Chapbook Contest:
5/1 to 6/16
Judged by tba
Prize: $1000, publication, and 20 copies
Contest fee: $25
Suggested manuscript length:
—Approximately 25 pgs to 45 pgs for submitting in an 8.5 x 11 size page
guidelines and recommendations for the Poetry Chapbook Contest here
see past winners of the Poetry Chapbook Contest
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2027 Omnidawn Poetry Open Book Contest:
7/1 to 8/16
Judged by tba
Prize: $3000, publication, and 20 copies
Contest fee: $28
—Approximately 40 pgs to 100 pgs for submitting in an 8.5 x 11 size page
—Approximately 60 pgs to 120 pgs for submitting in a 6 x 9 size page
guidelines and recommendations for the Open Book Contest here
see past winners of the Poetry Open Book Contest
~ ~ ~
2027 Omnidawn Fabulist Fiction Contest:
9/1 to 10/16
Judged by tba
Prize: $1000, publication, and 20 copies
Contest fee: $25
Suggested manuscript length: 7,500 to 17,500 words
guidelines and recommendations for the Fabulist Fiction Contest here
see past winners of the Omnidawn Fabulist Fiction Chapbook Contest