2026 Drue Heinz Literature Prize Call for Entries

The Drue Heinz Literature Prize recognizes and supports writers of short fiction and makes their work available to readers around the world.

📖 About the Prize

The Drue Heinz Literature Prize is an esteemed award that celebrates writers of short fiction. It provides them with recognition, financial support, and the opportunity to share their work with a global audience.

Opportunity Details

• Date Published: June 18, 2025
• Application Deadline: June 30, 2025
• Category: College
• Opportunity Location: United States
• School: University of Pittsburgh

💰 Benefits

Winners of the 2026 Drue Heinz Literature Prize will receive:

• Cash Prize: $15,000
• Publication: By the University of Pittsburgh Press
• Promotion: Support in nationwide promotion of their book

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the prize, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. The award is open to writers who have:
   • Published a novel or a book-length collection of fiction with a reputable book publisher, OR
   • Published a minimum of three short stories or novellas in magazines or journals of national distribution.
   • Note: Digital-only publication and self-publication do not count toward this requirement.
2. Open to writers in English, regardless of citizenship.
3. Current University of Pittsburgh employees and students, as well as former employees and students affiliated with the University within the last three years, are not eligible.
4. Translations are eligible only if the translation was done by the author.
5. Eligible submissions include:
   • An unpublished manuscript of short stories
   • Two or more novellas (maximum of 130 double-spaced typed pages per novella)
   • A combination of one or more novellas and short stories
   • Note: Manuscripts must be between 150 and 300 pages. Prior publication of the manuscript as a whole in any format (including electronic) makes it ineligible.
6. Stories or novellas previously published in magazines, journals, or anthologies are eligible.
7. Manuscripts may be under consideration by other publishers, but if accepted elsewhere, authors must notify the Press immediately.
8. Authors may submit more than one manuscript, provided there is no duplication of material between submissions.

📝 Application Process

Submission Period

• Dates: May 1 – June 30, 2025

Steps to Apply

1. Visit the submission portal during the submission period.
2. Follow the instructions provided on the secure Submittable webpage.
3. Ensure your manuscript meets the following requirements:
   • Double-spaced
   • Pages numbered consecutively
4. Include a list of all published short fiction work with full citations. This information will be entered into a field in Submittable.
5. Manuscripts will be judged anonymously. Ensure the author’s name, identifying information, and publication details do not appear within the manuscript.

📅 Important Dates

• Application Deadline: June 30, 2025

📧 Contact Information

If you have any questions about the guidelines, please email:
eomalley@upress.pitt.edu

🌐 Application Portal

• View details of the 2026 Drue Heinz Literature Prize Call for Entries.
• Apply via the submission portal.

• Winners receive a cash prize of $15,000.
• Publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press.
• Support in the nation-wide promotion of their book.