Laureate Prize

Our judge this year is Maya Williams, Poet Laureate of Portland, Maine!

The entry period runs from October 1st to December 31st. - PRIZE SUBMISSIONS EXTENDED! Submit by January 31st, 2024.

Full length books should be between 50-80 pages. Manuscripts should include a title page, table of contents, and a list of acknowledgments for previously published poems. Books centered around a unifying theme will be given preference.

Individual poems from the manuscript may have been published previously in magazines or chapbooks but not full length books. The collection as a whole must be unpublished.

Simultaneous submissions are permitted. Please let us know immediately if your manuscript is accepted by another publisher while under our consideration. We do not accept translations.

We encourage submissions from traditionally marginalized writers. Women, people of color, members of the LGBT community, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to submit. Current students, former students, former classmates, or friends of Small Harbor Publishing, Harbor Editions, Harbor Review staff, or the judge are disqualified from entering the contest.

All entries will be read by Harbor Editions staff. A selection of finalists will be read by the judge.

The submission fee is $25 to cover submission management. All fees are waived for BIPOC identifying writers.

Include in your cover letter your name, contact information, and a brief bio. Attach your manuscript as a word or pdf attachment. Please use the title of your book as your document name. Do not include your name or identifying information on your manuscript.

Harbor Editions will publish 1 book from the contest. Finalists may be considered for publication. The winner will receive $500 and 20 copies of their book. All entrants will be notified about the status of their submission after the submission period.