a detail from “Illustrations of Ventilation” (1869), courtesy of the Public Domain Review

As a small press that understands the writer’s most constant struggle, we’d like to highlight three contests that will soon be closing submissions. We recognize them as distinguished prizes from equally distinguished organizations, and we hope they’ll be helpful in your pursuit of publication.

The National Poetry Series’ Open Competition‘s deadline has been extended to February 23rd, 2015. Five manuscripts will be selected by five distinguished poets, and each winner, in addition to a $1,000 cash prize, will receive the opportunity to be published by a participating publishing company. These include HarperCollins Publishers, Fence Books, University of Georgia Press, Penguin Books, and Milkweed Editions.

Four Way Books’ Levis Prize in Poetry will be judged by Martha Collins this year, and it is open to any poet writing in the English language. One winner will receive a book-length publication, a reading sponsored by Four Way Books in New York City, and a $1,000 award. Their deadline for submission is March 31st (postmarked, if mailed), or April 1st, by 3 AM EST (if submitting online).

The AWP Award Series includes a slew of prizes for creative nonfiction, poetry, short fiction, and the novel, offering publication from University of Georgia Press, University of Pittsburgh Press, University of Massachusetts Press, and New Issues Press of Western Michigan University, respectively, with cash awards ranging from $2,5000 to $5,500. Details about each prize, as well as their submission guidelines, can be found here.

Happy submitting.