An independent, non-profit press that publishes about twenty books of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry every year. We’re looking for novels, memoir, creative nonfiction, hybrid works, and story, essay, and poetry collections of exceptional literary merit that demonstrate a high level of mastery.

Red Hen Press

Quill Prose Award

The Ann Petry Award of Red Hen Press and the Peauxdunque Writers Alliance is committed to maintaining the utmost integrity of our awards. Judges shall recuse themselves from considering any manuscript where they recognize the work. In the event of recusal, a manuscript score previously assigned by the managing editor of the press will be substituted.

25,000-word minimum


Ann Petry Award

25,000-word minimum (approximately 150 pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12pt font) to 80,000-word maximum. 

Women’s Prose Prize

General call

Established in 1998, in honor of the poet Benjamin Saltman (1927–1999), this award is for a previously unpublished (including self-published works) original collection of poetry. Awarded collection is selected through an annual competition which is open to all poets.
This year’s final judge will be TBA.
Deadline: October 31, 2026.
Award is $3,000 and publication of the awarded manuscript by Red Hen Press.
Entry fee is $25.00. 48 page minimum, 96 page maximum. (sized on 8.5"x11" sheet, 1" margin, 12 pt. Times New Roman)
The award is open to all writers with the following exceptions:
1. Authors who have had a full-length work published by Red Hen Press, or a full-length work currently under consideration by Red Hen Press;

  2. Employees, interns, or contractors of Red Hen Press;

  3. Relatives of employees or members of the executive board of directors;

  4. Relatives or individuals having a personal or professional relationship with any of the final judges where they have taken any part whatsoever in shaping the manuscript, or where, for whatever reason, selecting a particular manuscript might have the appearance of impropriety.
To be certain that every manuscript finalist receives the fairest evaluation, all manuscripts shall be submitted to the judges without any identifying material. Bios, acknowledgments, and other identifying material shall be removed from judged manuscripts until the conclusion of the competition.
Please remove all names, bios, acknowledgments, and other identifying material from the submitted manuscript, and include only your name and contact information in the cover letter field of Submittable.
Red Hen Press is committed to maintaining the utmost integrity of our awards. Judges shall recuse themselves from considering any manuscript where they recognize the work. In the event of recusal, a manuscript score previously assigned by the managing editor of the press will be substituted.
In order to qualify, authors must agree not only to on-time delivery of manuscript, clear and timely responses to communication, and attention to detail, but also to full participation in the promotion of their book—in short, publicity. A robust and personalized book promotion campaign requires a committed partnership between the author and RHP. To this end, authors will be expected to engage in the following:
1. Appearing as podcast guest
2. Running social media
3. Building and maintaining an author website
4. Curating a broad contact list for personal outreach
5. Building and maintaining a Substack
6. Doing long-read pitches
7. Potential events with friends
Entries will be accepted via Submittable only.

Benjamin Saltman Poetry Award

To honor the life and enduring legacy of beloved novelist Cai Emmons, who published three novels through Red Hen Press (Weather Woman, Sinking Islands, and Livid) and who passed away with dignity on January 2, 2023, after a hard-fought battle with ALS, Red Hen Press is proud to announce the Cai Emmons Fiction Award.

   We are so grateful to Cai and her family for choosing to endow this award to keep Cai’s spirit and love of life-changing fiction alive.

   We are looking for a fresh and original story of fiction with a minimum of 150 pages. The awarded fiction manuscript is selected through an annual submission process which is open to all authors.
Award details

   $5000

   Book publication by Red Hen Press

   Judge: TBD

   Deadline: January 15, 2027

   Notes: Entry fee is $25.00. Name on cover sheet only, with a 25,000-word minimum (approximately 150 pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12pt font). Entries will be accepted via Submittable only.

 

 Guidelines 

   The award is open to all writers with the following exceptions:
Authors who have had a full-length work published by Red Hen Press, or a full-length work currently under consideration by Red Hen Press;
Employees, interns, or contractors of Red Hen Press;
Relatives of employees or members of the executive board of directors;
Relatives or individuals having a personal or professional relationship with any of the final judges where they have taken any part whatsoever in shaping the manuscript, or where, for whatever reason, selecting a particular manuscript might have the appearance of impropriety.
Procedures and Ethical Considerations

   To be certain that every manuscript finalist receives the fairest evaluation, all manuscripts shall be submitted to the judges without any identifying material.

   Bios, acknowledgments, and other identifying material shall be removed from judged manuscripts until the conclusion of the competition.

   Red Hen Press is committed to maintaining the utmost integrity of our awards. Judges shall recuse themselves from considering any manuscript where they recognize the work. In the event of recusal, a manuscript score previously assigned by the managing editor of the press will be substituted.
In order to qualify, authors must agree not only to on-time delivery of manuscript, clear and timely responses to communication, and attention to detail, but also to full participation in the promotion of their book—in short, publicity. A robust and personalized book promotion campaign requires a committed partnership between the author and RHP. To this end, authors will be expected to engage in the following:
1. Appearing as podcast guest
2. Running social media
3. Building and maintaining an author website
4. Curating a broad contact list for personal outreach
5. Building and maintaining a Substack
6. Doing long-read pitches
7. Potential events with friends
For questions or to withdraw a submitted entry, please contact editorial@redhen.org.

Cai Emmons Fiction Award

Publisher’s Office Internships are intended for applicants interested in receiving an all-encompassing introduction to independent publishing. Ideal candidates will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong organization and management abilities, and a high degree of initiative and entrepreneurial spirit. This is a great opportunity to explore all facets of the publishing industry while gaining experience in the office environment.<div><br></div><div>The Publisher’s Office Intern will work closely with the Publisher and heads of departments to assist with office and database management, as well as various departmental duties. Day-to-day responsibilities include: answering phones, checking the Red Hen general information email, and greeting and checking visitors in; maintaining a neat and presentable office environment; updating Red Hen’s information and contact database; keeping track of inventory and sending inventory reports; and other administrative support such as filing, scanning, mailing, and performing data entry. Specific departmental responsibilities vary based on applicants’ interests and may include: performing research and fact-checking on various topics; reviewing and evaluating submissions, and sending query responses and rejection letters; applying for CIP data and uploading e-books; assisting with e-blasts and updating the Red Hen website and social media; and other tasks as needed.</div>

Publisher’s Office Internship

Development internships are intended for qualified applicants seeking hands-on experience in fundraising, nonprofit development, and/or public relations. The Development intern works closely with the Development Coordinator to maintain grant and donor relations and to research and cultivate new relations.<div><b><br></b></div><div><b>What you’ll do</b></div><div><ul><li>research potential new sources of funding</li><li>draft, proofread, and submit grant proposals and letters of intent (LOIs)</li><li>assist with Red Hen’s outreach programs, particularly Writing in the Schools</li><li>create and edit materials to help solicit support for the press</li><li>maintain and update development databases</li><li>provide general Development support such as data entry, filing, scanning, mailing, and other administrative duties as needed</li></ul></div>

Development & Grant Writing Internship

The Red Hen Press editorial team would love to welcome a new Editorial Acquisition intern!<div><br></div><div>Red Hen offers unpaid internship opportunities throughout the year to qualified candidates interested in learning about various aspects of book publishing. Our focused departmental internships expose participants to the finer points of area work, and offer a comprehensive introduction to independent publishing and nonprofits. In addition to hands-on experience in specific departmental work, benefits include free workshops and seminars on various topics taught by our experienced staff; an intern luncheon and Q&amp;A with our Managing Editor and Publisher; invites to Red Hen readings and events; complimentary books; and course credit, if applicable.</div>

Red Hen Press

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Featured Call

Benjamin Saltman Poetry Award