Contest is open to poets with or without previous book-length publication            

Winning book will be published by Fordham Press            

Winner will receive $1,000, a one-on-on publicity consultation, and a virtual book launch through the PJI Event Series

Deadline: November 15, 2026 

PJI Prize Judge: Alicia Ostriker 

GUIDELINES 

Manuscripts that do not adhere to these guidelines will not be read. Reading fees are non-refundable. We accept manuscripts ONLINE ONLY.

1. Manuscripts must be previously unpublished, original and in English (no translations)
2. Manuscripts must be formatted for 8 ½ x 11 letter sized paper; pages must be numbered
3. Suggested length: 50-100 pages (approximate)
4. Manuscripts should include a table of contents and list of acknowledgments (if applicable)
5. Manuscripts may include images or graphic elements
6. Submissions must be .doc, .docx., or .pdf format
7. The poet’s name should not appear anywhere in the manuscript; any ms. that includes the author’s information will be disqualified
8. The poet will be charged a non-refundable $28 fee ($25 reading fee + $3 online processing)
9. Manuscripts cannot be commented upon; no changes can be made after submission
10. Multiple entries are allowed, provided each submission complies with these guidelines (including paying a submission fee for each submission)
11. Notify us if another publisher accepts your manuscript after it is submitted via our online submissions manager or by contacting us at https://poetic-justice.org/contact
12. The PJI Prizes are not open to: students or employees of Fordham University; current or former students or friends of the prize judge or the series editor; past winners of a PJI/POL prize
13. Entries will be read anonymously
14. Works generated all or in part by AI are not eligible 

JUDGING PROCESS 

Manuscripts are read anonymously by a group of qualified poets/critics, selected by the series editor and final judge. If a reader recognizes a manuscript or knows its author, that manuscript is forwarded to a different reader or readers. Finalist submissions are read by the final judge and series editor over a period of weeks. We adhere to the CLMP Contest Code of Ethics.

RESULTS 

Results will be announced in Spring 2027. Please check Submittable or poetic-justice.org for notification of winners and finalists. 

Questions? Contact us at: https://poetic-justice.org/contact

PJI EDITOR’S PRIZE: SUBMISSION GUIDELINES 2026 - 2027

Contest is open to poets with or without previous book-length publication            

Winning book will be published by Fordham Press            

Winner will receive $1,000, a one-on-on publicity consultation, and a virtual book launch through the PJI Event Series

Deadline: November 15, 2026 

Series Editor, Elisabeth Frost 

GUIDELINES 

Manuscripts that do not adhere to these guidelines will not be read. We accept manuscripts ONLINE ONLY.

1. Manuscripts must be previously unpublished, original and in English (no translations)
2. Manuscripts must be formatted for 8 ½ x 11 letter sized paper; pages must be numbered
3. Suggested length: 50-100 pages (approximate)
4. Manuscripts should include a table of contents and list of acknowledgments (if applicable)
5. Manuscripts may include images or graphic elements
6. Submissions must be .doc, .docx., or .pdf format
7. The poet’s name should not appear anywhere in the manuscript; any ms. that includes the author’s information will be disqualified
8. There is no entry fee 
9. Manuscripts cannot be commented upon; no changes can be made after submission
10. Multiple entries are allowed, provided each submission complies with these guidelines
11. Notify us if another publisher accepts your manuscript after it is submitted via our online submissions manager or by contacting us at https://poetic-justice.org/contact
12. The PJI Prizes are not open to: students or employees of Fordham University; current or former students or friends of the prize judge or the series editor; past winners of a PJI/POL prize
13. Entries will be read anonymously
14. Works generated all or in part by AI are not eligible 

JUDGING PROCESS 

Manuscripts are read anonymously by a group of qualified poets/critics, selected by the series editor in conjunction with additional poet judges. If a reader recognizes a manuscript or knows its author, that manuscript is forwarded to a different reader or readers. Finalist submissions are read by the final judge and series editor over a period of weeks. We adhere to the CLMP Contest Code of Ethics.

RESULTS 

Results will be announced in Spring 2027. Please check Submittable or poetic-justice.org for notification of winners and finalists. 

Questions? Contact us at: https://poetic-justice.org/contact

The Poetic Justice Institute at Fordham seeks student fellows for the 2026-2027 academic year. 

Fellows have the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience while working on projects that fuse their passions for social justice and love for poetry. Professional opportunities include research, publicity, and event coordination. We encourage advanced undergraduate students and graduate students to apply for these professionalization and literary opportunities. Fellows may report on Poetic Justice Institute initiatives, conduct research on issues pertaining to contemporary poetry and poetics, assist with social media, and/or help plan and organize events. This is not a paid position. Fellows are acknowledged on the Poetic Justice Institute website.

Submit a brief cover letter (up to 250 words), a short resumé, and the names of 1-2 references. Applications will be read between September 15 and October 26.