Literary Arts

Literary Arts Prizes

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Literary Arts Prizes

Literary Arts is pleased to offer the following prizes. Entry for these prizes takes place annually in the spring semester.

Applications may be made based on the following categories:

Fiction (undergraduate) [this enters you into the Feldman Prize for Fiction] -- up to 20 pages

Fiction (graduate) [this enters you into the Feldman Prize, the Robert Coover Memorial Prize & the John Hawkes Memorial Prize] -- up to 25 pages

Poetry (undergraduate) [this enters you into the Academy of American Poets Prize, the Kim Ann Arstark Prize, the Michael S. Harper Memorial Prize and the Edwin Honig Memorial Prize] -- up to 8 pages

Poetry (graduate) [this enters you into the Academy of American Poets Prize, the Kim Ann Arstark Prize, the Michael S. Harper Memorial Prize and the Edwin Honig Memorial Prize] -- up to 8 pages

Any genre/discipline (undergraduate) [this enters you into the Mark Baumer Memorial Prize and the Keith and Rosmarie Waldrop Prize] -- up to 15 pages

Any genre/discipline (graduate) [this enters you into the Mark Baumer Prize and the Keith and Rosmarie Waldrop Prize] -- up to 15 pages

Any genre/discipline (undergraduate women) [this enters you into the Frances Mason Harris '26 Prize] -- 20 to 30 pages

Any genre/discipline (graduate women) [this enters you into the Frances Mason Harris '26 Prize] -- 20 to 30 pages

Speculative Fiction [undergraduate) (this enters you into the Alex Barry '20 Prize for Speculative Fiction] -- up to 20 pages

Humor (undergraduate) [this enters you into the Alexander Michael Finkelstein Barry '20 Prize for Humor] -- up to 20 pages

Children's Literature (graduate or undergraduate) [this enters you into the Beth Lisa Feldman Prize for Children's Literature]

Rules: you may share a submission in any category in which you are eligible. Submit no more than one application in any given category. You may submit the same material in more than one category (if the material fits the parameters); you may also submit different material in each category to which you apply.

 

Entry and Deadline

The prize entry time period closes each year at 11:59 pm on 16 March. Winners are announced by mid-April.

Applications are taken each spring semester until 16 March

Prize Descriptions

For the best poem (up to 8 pages) by an undergraduate or graduate student currently enrolled in the University. Prize amount: $100

For the best poem or poems (up to 8 pages) written in celebration of life by an undergraduate or graduate student currently enrolled in the University. Prize amount (for each recipient): $495

One awarded to an undergraduate for a manuscript that excels in this form, in memory of Alex Barry, an undergraduate of singular imaginative energy and joyful and unconstrained humor, who brought much to the Literary Arts at Brown during a time of personal hardship, making clear in the process the meaning and purpose of literary writing, not only as personal expressive endeavor but as a gift to the community. Prize amount: $500

The Alexander Michael Finkelstein Barry '20 Prize for Humor is awarded each year to one undergraduate for a manuscript that excels in this forms, in memory of Alex Barry, an undergraduate of singular imaginative energy and joyful and unconstrained humor, who brought much to the Literary Arts at Brown during a time of personal hardship, making clear in the process the meaning and purpose of literary writing, not only as personal expressive endeavor but as a gift to the community. Prize amount: $500

Submissions in any media are welcome, provided they can be read as language art. Cross-disciplinary and digitally mediated work is particularly welcome, but any work of language art that engages compositionally with its media will be considered, regardless of genre or form. The extent of the work submitted should be commensurate with a short story, a substantial single poem, a short series of poems, etc. Submissions of carefully chosen extracts from more extensive work will also be welcome. Prize amount (for each recipient): $300

For the best story or stories (up to 20 pages). Open to all undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in the University. Prize amount (for each recipient): $650

For the best story or stories written for children 4 to 8 years old (up to 50 pages). Open to all undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in the University.  Submit one application only (and may be a collaboration). Prize amount: $700

For an eight page poetry manuscript to honor the memory of University Professor and poet, Michael S. Harper. One awarded to a Graduate Student and one awarded to an Undergraduate Student.  Prize amount: $200

For a 20-30 page manuscript of literary work by a currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate woman. Prize amount (for each recipient): $1,000

These contests honor the memory of John Hawkes, the internationally-recognized author and dedicated professor of creative writing at Brown University, along with Robert Coover, TB Stowell University Professor Emeritus and esteemed practitioner of innovative fiction. The contest is open to graduate students currently enrolled at Brown. Prize amount (for each recipient): $500

For the best poem or poems (up to 8 pages) in honor of poet, translator and founder of Literary Arts, Edwin Honig. Prize amount (for each recipient): $300

For literary work, any genre, that best exemplifies the spirit of innovation found in the writings and translations of Keith and Rosmarie Waldrop. Up to 15 pages. Open to all Brown undergraduate and graduate students. Prize amount (for each recipient): $200

Prize Winners