Winning Writers

07/30/2026

AI Companies Are Buying Tons of Old Books Because They're Free of AI Slop
https://www.404media.co/ai-companies-are-buying-tons-of-old-books-because-theyre-free-of-ai-slop/
via 404 Media

ISBNdb, a company that sources printed books for AI companies to turn into training data, tells clients “the optics problem is real.”

07/30/2026

Deadline Sep 13: Frontier Poetry Myths & Fables Prize
New and emerging writers may submit unpublished poems that address myths or fables with creativity and innovation. Win $3,000 and publication. Fee: $20 for 1-3 poems, up to 5 pages in all.
https://www.frontierpoetry.com/2026-myths-fables-prize/
with Submittable

07/29/2026

Deadline: Sep 15: Epistle Literary Magazine. Submit unpublished poetry, short fiction, essays, and letters on the theme "How has an educator or mentor shaped you?" to win publication. More details on website. No fee | https://epistleliterary.org/submissions.html

07/29/2026

Early-bird deadline Sep 1: Writer's Digest Personal Essay Awards
Submit an unpublished essay up to 2,000 words to win $2,500, online publication, trip to conference, and interview published in WD. Many smaller prizes. Fee: $30.
https://www.writersdigest.com/writers-digest-competitions/personal-essay-awards
with Submittable

07/29/2026

"Curfew", a poem by Rajendra Bhandari, translated from the Nepali by Dhirendra Kumar Shah
https://poems.com/poem/curfew/
via Poetry Daily and The Bombay Literary Magazine

07/28/2026

Deadline Sep 15: Willow Springs Surrealist Poetry Prize
Submit unpublished poems in the surrealist tradition to win $1,000 and publication in Willow Springs. Fee: $15 for 1-3 poems. Judge: Michael Hettich.
https://inside.ewu.edu/willowspringsmagazine/surreal-prize/
via Eastern Washington University with Submittable HT Poets & Writers

07/27/2026

Deadline: Oct 10: Solstice Nature Prize for Young Writers sponsored by Writing East Midlands. Submit unpublished nature-themed poems, stories, or blog posts by young writers residing in the UK to win 100 pounds. More details on website. No fee |
https://winningwriters.com/whats-new/solstice-nature-prize-for-young-writers

07/27/2026

As censorship intensifies in Russia, exiled writers and publishers are creating a parallel literary network beyond the Kremlin’s reach.
Gift article via Bloomberg:
https://loom.ly/wH8VyVo

07/27/2026

Deadline Sep 13: CRAFT Flash Prose Prize
Submit unpublished fiction and creative nonfiction. 3 winners will each receive $1,000, a bundle of Rose Metal Press Field Guides, and publication in CRAFT. Fee: $20 for 1-2 prose works up to 1,000 words each.
https://www.craftliterary.com/craft-flash-prose-prize-2026/
with Submittable

07/27/2026

"Our Cram School", a poem by Oh Eun, translated from the Korean by Shyun Ahn
https://poems.com/poem/our-cram-school/
via Poetry Daily and Black Ocean