Iowa Short Fiction Awards

Iowa Short Fiction Awards 2027: Win Publication with the University of Iowa Press (No Entry Fee)

Writers with an unpublished short story collection now have an exceptional opportunity to launch their literary careers. The Iowa Short Fiction Awards and the John Simmons Short Fiction Award are officially accepting submissions for the 2027 competition, offering emerging fiction writers the chance to secure publication with the University of Iowa Press—one of the most respected literary publishers in the United States.

Unlike many prestigious book prizes, the Iowa Short Fiction Awards do not charge a reading fee, making them one of the most accessible competitions for unpublished fiction writers.

 

Award Overview

The Iowa Short Fiction Award and the John Simmons Short Fiction Award are annual prizes presented to two outstanding collections of short stories by writers who have not yet published a book-length work of prose fiction.

Winning manuscripts are published by the University of Iowa Press under its standard publishing contract, giving recipients not only national recognition but also the opportunity to join an impressive list of past winners whose careers have flourished after receiving the award.

For the 2027 competition, the final judge is acclaimed novelist and short story writer Bret Anthony Johnston, author of Corpus Christi: Stories, Remember Me Like This, and We Burn Daylight.

 

Eligibility Requirements for the Iowa Short Fiction Awards

The competition is open to writers worldwide who meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Have not previously published a book-length volume of prose fiction.
• Writers who have published poetry collections remain eligible.
• Writers who have self-published books in small print runs may still apply.
• International writers and non-U.S. citizens writing in English are welcome.
• Authors may revise and then resubmit manuscripts they previously submitted.
• Current University of Iowa students are not eligible.

 

Manuscript Requirements

Applicants must submit:

• A collection of short stories written in English.
• At least 150 double-spaced manuscript pages.
• PDF is the preferred format, although DOC and DOCX files are also accepted.
• The writer’s name should appear somewhere within the manuscript or filename.

Previously published stories in literary magazines may be included, provided the manuscript itself has never been published as a book.

 

Benefits of the Iowa Short Fiction Awards

Winning manuscripts will receive:

• Publication by the University of Iowa Press
• Professional editorial and publishing support
• Recognition through one of the most prestigious debut short fiction awards in the literary world

Although there is no cash prize, publication through the University of Iowa Press has launched the careers of numerous celebrated fiction writers over the past five decades.

 

Submission Period

Applications for the 2027 awards are open:

• Opening Date: July 1, 2026
• Deadline: August 31, 2026

There is no submission fee.

Writers may submit electronically through the official submission portal or send printed manuscripts by mail to the Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa.

 

Why You Should Apply

Winning means your debut collection will be published by a renowned university press and judged by one of today’s leading literary voices.

Before submitting, consider requesting feedback on your manuscript. A thoughtful revision informed by trusted readers can significantly strengthen your work. This guide on how to get a writing critique offers practical strategies for finding valuable editorial feedback.

Also, these inspiring podcasts every writer should subscribe to for unique story ideas are an excellent resource during the drafting and editing process.