CREATIVE WRITING PRIZES AND AWARDSEach spring, the Creative Writing Program sponsors the following contests for Penn students. Contest winners are selected by judges who have no affiliation with the university.
Entries may be left in the designated box marked Creative Writing Contests at the Center for Programs in Contemporary Writing (CPCW), 3808 Walnut St. All entries should bear: your name, school, year, address, email address, & the contest you are entering. You may enter more than one contest.
This year's deadline: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, NOON
POETRY: The William Carlos Williams Prize (graduate) and The Society of College Alumni Prize (undergraduate)
Submit two copies of up to 5 poems (5 page total). Undergraduate first prize $400, Graduate prize $100.
FICTION: The Phi Kappa Sigma Prize ($400 first prize):
Submit two copies of one short story only, maximum 7000 words (Undergraduate only)
DRAMATIC WRITING: The Judy Lee Prize ($400 first prize):
Submit two copies of one script for stage, screen, television, or radio (Undergraduate or Graduate)
REVIEW: The Lilian and Benjamin Levy Prize ($400 first prize)
Submit two copies of one review of a current book, play, film, cd, or performance (Undergraduate only)
LITERARY TRANSLATION: The Ezra Pound Prize ($400 first prize)
Submit two copies of up to 3 pp. of verse or 5 pp. of prose translated into English from any language; include two copies of the original text; for poetry, include a rough prose translation and note whether the poems are in free verse or in a particular form (Undergraduate or Graduate)
CREATIVE NONFICTION: The Gibson Peacock Prize ($400 first prize)
Submit two copies of one nonfiction work, maximum 7000 words (Undergraduate only)
JOURNALISTIC WRITING: The Parker Prize ($600 prize)
Submit two copies of one work, maximum 7000 words, including newspaper or magazine article, feature story, exposé or other piece of investigative journalism (Undergraduate only)
2011 Creative Writing Contest Winners
Previous Contest Winners
2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001