Deadline: December 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM
SUBMISSION FORM
The Elizabeth Alexander Creative Writing Award celebrates an author whose work embodies the lyrically powerful and historically engaged nature of Dr. Alexander’s writing. We aim for this award to highlight different forms of knowledge production that emerge from the artistic, political, and cultural advocacy undertaken by women of color nationally, transnationally, and globally.
Each year we award two winners: one in Poetry and one in Prose. Each winner will receive a $500 Prize, publication in Meridians, and will have the opportunity to spend a week-long residency at Meridians at Smith College the following Fall or Spring.
The award is open to all genres, including: poetry, fiction, play scripts, and non-fiction. All submissions will be judged anonymously.
Works engaging with feminism, race, and transnationalism will be prioritized. Translated works and manuscripts in languages other than English are encouraged as well.
We only accept previously unpublished work for publication. We only accept one submission for entry to the EACWA contest. Simultaneous submissions will not be considered.
PLAY SCRIPTS
Play scripts should be typed, Times New Roman font, and no more than 5,000 words.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
- No identifying information or contact information on the manuscript itself.
- All submissions for the award must be submitted through this Google Form. E-mailed and/or mailed hard copy submissions for the award will NOT be considered.
- Please attach your submission as a PDF
- Please make sure your submissions has the following:
- Title on the manuscript
- Double-spaced (unless poetry or play which may utilize whatever formatting is necessary)
- 1-inch margins (unless poetry which may utilize whatever margins are necessary)
- 12-point, Times New Roman font (or similar, with exceptions for poetry submissions, translations, and plays which may require differing fonts)
- Include page numbers if work exceeds one page
- Award Review Process:
- All submissions will undergo preliminary review by the Meridians editorial staff, and finalists will be reviewed double-anonymously by members of the Meridians Creative Writing Advisory Board.
- Winners will be notified in February 2026.