Poetry Contest 2027 — Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival ($1,000, Emerging Poets)
COMPETITION

Poetry Contest 2027 — Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival ($1,000, Emerging Poets)

Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival

October 15, 2026 (16 publicSeo.openCall.daysLeft)New Orleans, Louisiana, USA (online submission; reading at the Festival, French Quarter)

Annual poetry contest of the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival for poets without a published poetry book.

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Grand prize $1,000, a VIP All-Access Festival pass ($600 value), a public reading at the Festival in New Orleans, publication in French Quarter Journal, an interview feature and a two-year Duotrope gift certificate. Top finalists receive a LitPass ($100 value). Judge: Gina Ferrara.

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Open only to emerging writers who have not yet published a book of poetry (including self-published books and chapbooks with an ISBN; books in other genres are fine). A collection of 2–4 original, unpublished poems in English, up to 400 lines in total; poems that have won or placed in another contest are ineligible. Students and faculty of the University of New Orleans Film & Theatre Arts Graduate Program and Creative Writing Workshop are ineligible. Unlimited entries; anonymous judging.

Dates & details

Programme dates
Next Festival: 17–21 March 2027, New Orleans
Costs to the artist
Entry fee only; submission online
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$1,000 grand prize
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$15 per entry