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.
- Manuscripts must be previously unpublished, original and in English (no translations)
- Manuscripts must be formatted for 8 ½ x 11 letter sized paper; pages must be numbered
- Suggested length: 50-100 pages (approximate)
- Manuscripts should include a table of contents and list of acknowledgments (if applicable)
- Manuscripts may include images or graphic elements
- Submissions must be .doc, .docx., or .pdf format
- The poet’s name should not appear anywhere in the manuscript; any ms. that includes the author’s information will be disqualified
- The poet will be charged a non-refundable $28 fee ($25 reading fee + $3 online processing)
- Manuscripts cannot be commented upon; no changes can be made after submission
- Multiple entries are allowed, provided each submission complies with these guidelines (including paying a submission fee for each submission)
- 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
- 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
- Entries will be read anonymously
- 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.
- Manuscripts must be previously unpublished, original and in English (no translations)
- Manuscripts must be formatted for 8 ½ x 11 letter sized paper; pages must be numbered
- Suggested length: 50-100 pages (approximate)
- Manuscripts should include a table of contents and list of acknowledgments (if applicable)
- Manuscripts may include images or graphic elements
- Submissions must be .doc, .docx., or .pdf format
- The poet’s name should not appear anywhere in the manuscript; any ms. that includes the author’s information will be disqualified
- There is no entry fee
- Manuscripts cannot be commented upon; no changes can be made after submission
- Multiple entries are allowed, provided each submission complies with these guidelines
- 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
- 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
- Entries will be read anonymously
- 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