Cave Canem Prize A project of Cave Canem (see other related projects). About The Cave Canem Prize is awarded annually to the best debut collection of poems submitted by a Black poet. At some point, all poets face the challenge of communicating their work beyond the first manuscript.To assist Black poets in surmounting that obstacle, Cave Canem established the Prize and created a direct route to three publishers: Graywolf Press; University of Pittsburgh Press; and University of Georgia Press. No Fees! This contest does not charge mandatory fees. Limited Demographic: Submissions are restricted to Black writers of African descent who have not had a full-length book of poetry published by a professional press. Country of Publication & Year Established United States Established in 1999 Publication Medium & Contest Frequency Print Publication Print PublicationAwarded 1 x per year AI Policy Unknown AI policy Poetry Temp Closed Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: General Open to all/most SubgenresLengths: Poetry Collection: 48 - 75 pages.Poetry Forms:Open to all/most Forms.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Winner's Prize:Professional advance (US$2000 or more) + No royalties Professional advance. No royalties. Details: USD $10,000.Submissions:Method: Submittable submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Multiple entries: Multiple entries are NOT allowed.Media: Text. Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary. Go to contest webpage Report: Submission/Response Correction/Update New Cover ArtSocial:Instagram @cavecanempoetsX (Twitter) @cavecanempoets Support this Publisher: Make a Donation For the Editor(s): Request Interview Duosuma Submission Manager Link to Duotrope Cave Canem Prize Submission Statistics The statistics in this section are compiled from submission reports sent to us through our submission tracker. They are not provided by the publication's editors/staff or by Duotrope's admins. Information in this section is updated a few times per day. Learn more about the statistics. Filter: Category: Group by submission Include related projects Accuracy: We have not received any complete reports within the past 12 months. Pending 2 responses are pending (131 min | 134.5 mean avg | 134.5 median | 138 max days waiting | 4.9 std dev) from 2 different members This only includes pending reports from people who have been active on Duotrope within the past 30 days Work submitted here was also submitted to...This section is available to subscribers only. Sign up and start your free trial today!Members accepted here also had work accepted by...This section is available to subscribers only. Become a member and start your free trial today! Your Submissions This section is available to subscribers only. Join today! Related ProjectsCave Canem Retreat DNQ Charges fees for all submissionsToi Derricotte & Cornelius Eady Chapbook Prize Before SubmittingWe cannot guarantee that the information on this page is correct. It is not unusual for publications to evolve or close without notice. We do our best to keep up, but it isn't always possible. Duotrope listings do not imply endorsement or recommendation of the project being listed. Before submitting, you should use your own judgment to determine whether the project meets your standards.Always read the full guidelines provided by the publisher.Try to read at least one previous publication to get a better idea of what the editor would like to see.Unless the publisher's guidelines state otherwise, always use industry standard manuscript formatting.Be professional, patient, and persistent. DatesLast Updated: 30 Apr 2026We check their guidelines for changes every four weeks, and we audit the listing twice a year. Cookie Consent: This site uses secure first-party cookies for essential, preference-setting, and statistical purposes. We do not use any marketing, advertising, or third-party cookies. Read our full cookie policy. Accept All Cookies Allow Essential Cookies Only