HomeWE REGRET TO ANNOUNCE THAT BECAUSE OF HEALTH URGENCIES IN OUR STAFF, WE HAVE DELAYED ALL DECISIONS FOR PRIZES AND REGULAR SUBMISSIONS TIL WINTER 2026. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE! WE HAVE REOPENED THE SUBMISSION PORTAL FROM AUGUST 1 TO NOVEMBER 1ST FOR SUBMISSIONS!
SUBMIT REGULAR SUBMISSIONS OF POEMS, SHORT STORIES, AND NONFICTION THROUGH THE "SUBMIT HERE" LINK.
Our theme is STANDING UP: WRITERS RESPOND TO VAST DOMESTIC AND GLOBAL CHANGE
PRIZES
**First Place in each genre: $1500 and publication.**
**Second Place in each genre: $500 and publication. **
**Honorable Mention: Publication.**
2026/2027 FINAL JUDGES:
JOY HARJO POETRY PRIZE: Annie Wenstrup
RICK DE MARINIS SHORT STORY PRIZE : Laura Pritchett BARRY LOPEZ NONFICTION PRIZE:Alison Hawthorne Deming
GUIDELINES: Submit up to three unpublished poems (100 line limit each), one unpublished short story or creative nonfiction piece (5000 word limit), any subject, any style, between August 1, 2026 and midnight November 1, 2026.
Enter as often and in as many genres as you'd like.
AUTHOR NAME MUST NOT APPEAR ANYWHERE ON PRIZE SUBMISSIONS!
$27 reading fee. You will be instructed how to pay by SUBMITTABLE.
All prose must be double-spaced. 12 point font. No relatives of or employees of CUTTHROAT, no friends, family or students of judges are eligible for prizes. We consider only UNPUBLISHED stories, poems and nonfiction.
Winners will be notified by JANUARY 31, 2027.
