The Black River Chapbook Competition A project of Black Lawrence Press (see other related projects). About Twice each year Black Lawrence Press will run the Black River Chapbook Competition for an unpublished chapbook of poems or prose. The contest is open to new, emerging, and established writers. The winner will receive book publication, a cash award, and copies of the book. Prizes are awarded on publication.Our chapbooks are perfect-bound, feature striking cover designs, each receive an ISBN, and are distributed through Independent Publishers Group. We treat our chapbooks just like our full-length titles in terms of aesthetics, production, publicity, and editorial love and care. Fees Notice: This project charges fees (or requires purchases) for all submissions. The fee is USD $20 (average for contests). Want more insight into the affiliated editors' preferences? Read our interview with the editor(s) of Black Lawrence Press. Country of Publication United States Publication Medium & Contest Frequency Print Publication Print PublicationAwarded 2 x per year AI Policy Unknown AI policy Statistics Synopsis Regular Speed The Black River Chapbook Competition's overall average response time is within a normal range for contests. More ChallengingThe Black River Chapbook Competition's overall acceptance rate is lower than most contests. ResponsiveThe Black River Chapbook Competition's overall rate of non-response is within a normal range for contests. Collapse section Fiction Open Fee-based Dates:Open to fiction submissions through 31 October 2026* (approx. 52 days from now).1Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: Fiction Collection: 4,000 - 9,000 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Winner's Prize:Semi-pro advance (US$200-1999) + Unknown royalties Provides free copy/copies Semi-pro advance. Unknown royalties. Provides free copy/copies. Details: USD $500.Submissions:Method: Submittable submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Multiple entries: Multiple entries are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Nonfiction Open Fee-based Dates:Open to nonfiction submissions through 31 October 2026* (approx. 52 days from now).Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Lengths: Nonfiction Collection: 4,000 - 9,000 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Winner's Prize:Semi-pro advance (US$200-1999) + Unknown royalties Provides free copy/copies Semi-pro advance. Unknown royalties. Provides free copy/copies. Details: USD $500.Submissions:Method: Submittable submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Multiple entries: Multiple entries are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Poetry Open Fee-based Dates:Open to poetry submissions through 31 October 2026* (approx. 52 days from now).8Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: Poetry Chapbook: 16 - 36 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:Semi-pro advance (US$200-1999) + Unknown royalties Provides free copy/copies Semi-pro advance. Unknown royalties. Provides free copy/copies. Details: USD $500.Submissions:Method: Submittable submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Multiple entries: Multiple entries are allowed.Media: Text. Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary.* We do not know the time and/or timezone, so we cannot be more precise. Submit early to avoid disappointment. Go to contest webpage Report: Submission/Response Correction/Update New Cover ArtSocial:Bluesky @blacklawrence.bsky.socialFacebook FacebookInstagram @blacklawrencepress Support this Publisher: Buy Book(s) For the Editor(s): Request Interview Duosuma Submission Manager Link to Duotrope The Black River Chapbook Competition 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: All Categories Fiction Nonfiction Poetry Group by submission Include outliers Include related projects Accuracy We have received 69 reports from 65 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information. Days Reported 5 min | 112.2 mean avg | 106.0 median | 312 max days (102.1 std dev) Responses 91.31 % Acceptances: 1.45 % of submissions accepted (119.0 avg. days per acceptance) | 1.54 % of submitters accepted Rejections are often underreported, which skews the statistics in favor of acceptances. Most publishers have a lower acceptance rate than indicated here. Rejections: 89.86 % (112.4 avg. days per rejection) | 1.6 % personal, 75.8 % form, 22.6 % unspecified | 1.5 % shortlisted Non-Responses 1.45 % Lost/Returned: - Never Responded: 1.45 % (312.0 avg. days before reporting submissions as never responded) Withdrawals 7.25 % (49.2 avg. days per withdrawal) Pending 12 responses are pending (0 min | 73.3 mean avg | 102.0 median | 124 max days waiting | 981.5 std dev) from 12 different members This only includes pending reports from people who have been active on Duotrope within the past 30 days Other Information The most common submission fee paid: USD $20.00. Most submissions are acknowledged on the same day. Most recent response reported was received on 01 Sep 2026. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 01 Jun 2026. Date compiled: 09 Sep 2026 17:52 UTC (6 hours, 52 minutes ago). View report of recent responses from this project 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 ProjectsThe 46er Poetry Prize CLOSED Charges fees for all submissionsThe Big Moose Prize Charges fees for all submissionsBlack Lawrence Immigrant Writing SeriesBlack Lawrence Press Charges fees for all submissionsFar Villages: Welcome Essays for New & Beginner Poets CLOSEDThe Fulton Prize for Short Fiction DNQ Charges fees for all submissionsThe Hudson Prize Charges fees for all submissionsIn the Tempered Dark: Contemporary Poets Transcending Elegy CLOSEDThe St. Lawrence Book Award Charges fees for all submissions 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: 31 Aug 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