In the spirit of the journal’s founding mission, the Ploughshares Emerging Writer’s Contest recognizes work by an emerging writer in each of three genres: fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. We consider authors “emerging” if they haven’t published or self-published a book in any genre.

One winner in each genre per year will receive $2,000 and publication in the literary journal. The winners will also receive a conversation with our partnering literary agency, Aevitas Creative Management, regarding their work and writing careers.

Eligibility

You are eligible if you:

• Have not published a book or chapbook in any genre.
• Have no book or chapbook forthcoming before April 15, 2026.
• Are not affiliated with Emerson College or with Ploughshares as a volunteer screener, intern, student, staff member, or faculty member.
• Will not have a relationship with Emerson College before April 15, 2026 (example: if there is a chance you will attend the Emerson MFA program in the coming year or if your work has been accepted for publication for an upcoming issue).

Submitting

Writers can submit to the Emerging Writer’s Contest from March 1st-May 15th.

We accept fiction and nonfiction up to 6,000 words and 3-5 pages of poetry. Submit one entry per year via our online submission manager. Excerpts of longer works are welcome if self-contained.

Entry Fee

If you are a current subscriber through our Winter 2025-2026 issue, your contest entry is free of charge. You will still be prompted to “checkout” but you will not be required to enter payment information and will not be charged. If you’re not sure when your subscription expires, feel free to email us at [email protected].

If you are not a subscriber, or your subscription expires before our Winter 2025-2026 issue, the submission manager will prompt you to pay the $30 fee at checkout. The fee includes a 1-year subscription to Ploughshares (beginning with the Spring 2025 issue and ending with the Winter 2025-2026 issue) and free submissions to the 2025 regular reading period.