Trailblazer Contest

About

The Trailblazer Contest highlights work that pushes boundaries through innovation, honing, and truth-seeking — work that expands the scope of English-language poetry rooted in the Japanese tradition. We seek work that goes beyond mimicking Japanese forms, using the hallmarks of the genres to ground expansive new territory.

No Fees! This contest does not charge mandatory fees.

Country of Publication & Year Established

United States

Established in 2021

Publication Medium & Contest Frequency

Electronic Publication Electronic Publication: Unknown contest frequency

AI Policy

Unknown AI policy

1 member set this contest as a Favorite.

Collapse section Fiction Open

Dates:

Open to fiction submissions through 30 September 2026* (approx. 19 days from now).

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:

General

Lengths:

Flash Fiction: Up to 200 words.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics including...
Other: May vary.

Theme:

Zuihitsu (30 Sep 2026*)

Winner's Prize:

No monetary payment No monetary payment.

Submissions:

Method: Online form.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Unknown.
Multiple entries: Multiple entries are NOT allowed.
Media: Image. Text. Video.

Collapse section Nonfiction Open

Dates:

Open to nonfiction submissions through 30 September 2026* (approx. 19 days from now).

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Lengths:

Narrative Nonfiction: Up to 200 words.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics including...
Other: May vary.

Theme:

Zuihitsu (30 Sep 2026*)

Winner's Prize:

No monetary payment No monetary payment.

Submissions:

Method: Online form.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Unknown.
Multiple entries: Multiple entries are NOT allowed.
Media: Image. Text. Video.

Collapse section Poetry Open

Dates:

Open to poetry submissions through 30 September 2026* (approx. 19 days from now).

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:

General

Lengths:

Poem: No line limits known.

Poetry Forms:

Haiku (or related), Tanka, Other form.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics including...
Other: May vary.

Theme:

Zuihitsu (30 Sep 2026*)

Winner's Prize:

No monetary payment No monetary payment.

Submissions:

Method: Online form.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Unknown.
Multiple entries: Multiple entries are NOT allowed.
Media: Image. Text. Video.

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.

Recent cover image or website screenshot for Trailblazer Contest

Go to contest webpage

Report:
Submission/Response
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Social:
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For the Editor(s):
Request Interview
Duosuma Submission Manager
Link to Duotrope

Trailblazer Contest 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.

We have not received any submission reports for this listing in the past 12 months.

Your Submissions

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Before Submitting

We 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.

Dates

Last Updated: 31 Aug 2026

We check their guidelines for changes every four weeks, and we audit the listing twice a year.