Entries must be original, unpublished, non-AI-generated poems submitted by emerging and established writers whose voices embody the literary South.
Entries will consist of three poems of any length that share some commonality—theme, subject, symbol, metaphor, place, etc.—or a single long poem in three connected movements.
A short statement of no more than 50 words must be included at the beginning of the submission (not on a separate document) to explain the common element.
Because of copyright concerns, ekphrastic poems are not acceptable.
Entries should be devoid of any information that indicates authorship since judging—to be done by Porchlight editors and our panel of readers—will be anonymous. If the submission is in the top three, Porchlight will request an author photo and biography.
Entries should be in Times New Roman 12 point in Word doc or pdf format. Only digital entries through Submittable will be accepted.
Entry fee is $20, payable through Submittable.
Deadline is midnight, Sunday, May 31, 2026.
Winners will be contacted by June 30, 2026, via email, and announced on the Porchlight website after the award recipients are contacted.
Porchlight publishes fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry throughout its annual reading periods. We welcome work that reflects the depth and diversity of Southern voices—emerging and established. Please note:
Fiction
- Length: Up to 7,500 words (one story or excerpt or up to 3 flash pieces).
- Fee: $3 per submission
- Simultaneous submissions are welcome. Notify us promptly if your work is accepted elsewhere.
- Submit only unpublished work.
Creative Nonfiction
- Length: Up to 7,500 words.
- Fee: $3 per submission
- Submit one essay or lyric piece per reading period.
- We accept simultaneous submissions but require notice upon acceptance elsewhere.
- Submit only unpublished work.
Poetry
- Submit: 3–5 poems (no more than 10 pages total).
- Fee: $3 per submission
- Poetry should be submitted in a single document.
- Simultaneous submissions are allowed; please notify us if a poem is accepted elsewhere.
- Submit only unpublished work.
Formatting Guidelines
- Use Times New Roman, 12 pt. font; prose should be double-spaced.
- Remove all personal identifying information from your document and filename.
- Submit only one piece per genre per reading period.
- Response time: 12–16 weeks.