Literary Contests & Awards
The Poetry Center annually sponsors three literary contests and awards prizes for each.
For complete information on the winners of these contests and awards, see our NEWS page.
Allen Ginsberg Poetry Awards
Honoring Allen Ginsberg’s contribution to American literature and his Paterson upbringing, this annual poetry competition awards the first prize of $2000, the second prize of $1000, and the third prize of $500 for a single poem.
1.Up to five unpublished poems per person will be accepted for consideration.
2. Three copies of each poem should be submitted for distribution to the judges.
3. Each poem should be no longer than two manuscript pages.
4. Pages with poems should not include the poet’s name; instead a separate cover sheet should list the poet’s name, mailing address, phone number, e-mail address and poem titles.
5. Poems cannot be returned. Please do not submit poems that imitate Allen Ginsberg’s work.
6. A check for $18.00 payable to PCCC must accompany the submission (write “Poetry Contest” in the memo section of the check). There is a $55 bounced check fee for checks returned for insufficient funds.
7. Deadline: February 1, 2024 (postmarked).
The winners will be announced in spring 2024 on this website. Poems by the Winners, Honorable Mentions, and Editor's Choice recipients are included in the Paterson Literary Review (PLR), and the poets are invited to read at The Poetry Center in historic downtown Paterson.
For examples of poems that have previously won and those that have been included in PLR, consider reading a back issue or looking at a few featured poems online.
Press releases for winners from previous years can be found in our news section.
2023 Award Winners including Honorable Mentions and Editor’s Choice poems and poets (pdf)
Contest guidelines for the 2024 Allen Ginsberg Poetry Awards (pdf)
Press releases for winners from previous years can be found in our news section.
*NOTE* Poetry, fiction, and prose submissions for the Paterson Literary Review will be accepted from June 1 through December 31.
Paterson Poetry Prize
The Paterson Poetry Prize is sponsored by The Poetry Center at Passaic County Community College. It is a $2000 award for a book of poems, 48 pages or more in length, selected by our judges as the strongest collection of poems published in the previous year. The winning poet will be eligible for the monetary prize only if he/she/they participates in a reading at the Poetry Center in Paterson, NJ or virtually. See our readings page for information.
Contest Rules
Each book submitted must be accompanied by an application form.
Publishers and authors may submit books for prize consideration.
Two copies of each book should be sent to The Poetry Center.
Books entered in the competition cannot be returned and will be donated.
Books must be postmarked by February 1, 2024, to be considered for the 2024 prize.
A public announcement of winners will be made on this website in spring 2024.
Rules and Application for the 2024 Prize (pdf)
Press releases for winning books from previous years can be found in our news section.
The Paterson Prize for Books for Young People
In each category one book will be selected, which in the opinion of our judges, is the most outstanding book for young people published in the previous year. There is a $1000 award in each of three categories: Pre-K - Grade 3; Grades 4 - 6; Grades 7 - 12.
Contest Rules
1. Each book submitted must be accompanied by an application form.
2. Publisher/author may submit more than one book for prize consideration.
3. Two copies of each book should be sent
4. Books entered in the contest cannot be returned and will be donated.
5. Submissions deadline: February 1, 2024 (postmarked) for the 2024 award.
6. Announcements of winners will be placed on this website.
2023 Winners Books for Young People (pdf)
Guidelines and Application for the 2024 Prize (pdf)
Press releases for winners from previous years can be found in our news section.