Submissions and Guidelines

Trio House Press sponsors two annual poetry manuscript awards and one annual creative nonfiction award:

The Trio Award for First or Second Book for emerging poets for a book of poems contributing in an innovative and distinct way to American poetry. 

The Louise Bogan Award for poets at any level of publication.

Each award winner receives $1000 and twenty copies of their book, along with assistance in marketing the book.

In 2023, Trio House Press launched its first creative nonfiction manuscript contest:

The Aurora Polaris Creative Nonfiction Award. 

Award winners receive $1,000 and twenty copies of their book, along with assistance in marketing the book.

Trio House Press offers an open submissions period each year, which may vary from year to year.

2024 SUBMISSION PERIODS:

November 1 through March 15: Trio Award and Louise Bogan Award

February 1 - May 15: Aurora Polaris Award

June 1 - June 30, 2024: Open Reading Period

Our submissions fee is $25 per manuscript for all award reading periods. We do not waive submission fees for contests, but do offer a fee-free option during our open reading period for poets with incomes of $50,000 or less per year.

Judges are forwarded unmarked manuscripts for consideration. Relatives, close friends, and current or former students of judges are not eligible for publication. 

Our submissions process adheres to and supports all ethical standards and guidelines outlined by the CLMP.

GENERAL GUIDELINES (FOR ALL PERIODS/CONTESTS)

All manuscripts must be written primarily in English, and authors must reside primarily in the United States. We do not publish fiction at this time.

•  The Trio  Award for First or Second Book is only open to poets submitting their first or second book of poetry. Books and chapbooks with ISBN's are considered  "books". Writers who have published more than two books in other genres but no books of poetry are still eligible for the Trio Award.
   
•  The Louise Bogan Award for Artistic Merit and Excellence is open to ALL poets, regardless of publication history.
   
•  The  Aurora Polaris Award is open to all writers, regardless of publication  history. Aurora Polaris submissions may not be represented by an agent  or submitted by an agent.
   
•  Agents may submit poetry or creative nonfiction manuscripts to Trio House Press  during the Open Reading period and outside of our contests and open reading periods, but agented manuscripts are not accepted for our contests.

• Translations are only accepted during out Open Reading period, and submissions must identify the rights holder to the work being translated. Submissions where the rights have been acquired by translators are preferred.
   
•  Poetry  manuscripts must be 48-120 pages of poetry (excluding title page, table  of contents, and all front matter), written in English by a poet  residing within the U.S.; creative nonfiction manuscripts must be more than 48 pages long.
   
•  No submissions from those living outside of the United States and/or those unwilling to participate in appearances and readings in the United States.
   
•  Poets and writers must submit their own work; no submissions are accepted that are written by someone who is deceased.
   
•  Reading  fees are not waived for contests for any reason, as those funds are used  to pay the prize money and the judges. We encourage those who cannot  afford the reading fee to send us work during the Open Reading period.
   
•  Submissions generated using AI are prohibited.
   
•  Previously published or self-published books are not eligible for submission.
   
•  Manuscripts  should be submitted in one Word or PDF file. Trio Award and Bogan Award  entries must be stripped of all information identifying the author.
   
•  Creative  nonfiction manuscripts submitted for the Aurora Polaris Award do not  need to be stripped of identifying information; nor do any manuscripts  submitted during the Open Reading Period.
   
•  Include  and upload your cover letter with your bio and contact information in  the cover letter option area. Please include links to your webpage,  social media, or other online presences.
   
•  Include  an acknowledgement page of individual poems or essays or excerpts published within the  manuscript.  The manuscript as a whole must not be previously published.
   
•  Multiple award submissions are accepted as long as a $25 fee accompanies each award submission.
   
•  Simultaneous submissions are accepted as long as we are notified immediately if your manuscript is chosen elsewhere.
   
•  Relatives  and current or former students of judges are not eligible for awards or  publication during our contest submissions period.
   
•  No edits  can be made to manuscripts after you submit your manuscript.  However,  if chosen for award or publication, edits can be made prior to final  proofs.
   
•  In the  unlikely event that, due to unexpected illness or life events, that a  judge is unable to select an award winner, a member of the Trio House  Press Editorial staff will select the award winner.
   
•  Your submission acknowledges that you understand and agree to all guidelines.
  
• Entrants will be notified of the status of their submissions when finalists are chosen, usually within a month of the closing date of the contest. Finalists and winners will be announced on our website and on social media.