1st Annual Grackle & Grackle Prizes for Houston Writers
Judged by Erin Belieu (Poetry) and Kevin Prufer (Fiction)
$250 Fiction | $250 Poetry
Grackle and Grackle is now accepting entries for the inaugural Green Anole Prize in Poetry and Nine-Banded Armadillo Prize in Fiction. This contest is for writers living in the Greater Houston Area, or within 56 miles of Houston, Texas and awards $250 for the winner of each category. Winners will also be invited to read their work at a celebration in October 2026.
Guidelines & Eligibility
Writers must live within 56 miles of Houston, Texas.
There is no theme for this year’s contest.
Entries must be previously unpublished.
Entrants cannot have studied with the judges within the last five years.
Submit one piece of fiction up to 5000 words, or any number of regularly spaced poems in 4-6 pages.
Winners will be invited to read at a celebration in October 2026, and have the option to have their work published on the Grackle & Grackle blog (though this is not a requirement).
If winning authors choose to have their work published, Grackle & Grackle claims one-time, non-exclusive rights to publish winning work on the Grackle & Grackle blog. All other rights remain with the author. Upon blog publication, authors are free to republish the work and should note prior publication with Grackle & Grackle.
Multiple submissions and simultaneous submissions are welcome, but you must pay a separate fee for each entry and withdraw the piece immediately if accepted elsewhere.
Submit By Email:
Entry deadline: July 15th
Use the body of the email as a cover letter.
Attach your entry as a .pdf Make sure your name, address, email, and phone number appear at the top of the first page of your entry.
Email entries to: gracklesubmit@gmail.comwith the subject line FICTION or POETRY (corresponding to the respective contest).
Please pay your entry fee via the respective purchase page on grackleandgrackle.com or with the links below.
Submit by Mail:
Postmark deadline: July 1st.
Please enclose a cover letter. Make sure your name, address, email, and phone number appear at the top of the first page of your entry.
Include a check for $5 payable to Grackle and Grackle.
Mention in your cover letter if you want your manuscript returned, and remember to include self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage.
Mail entries to:
Grackle & Grackle Prizes [GENRE]
819 Highland Street
Houston, TX 77009
Winners
Will be notified in September 2026.
About the Prizes
Grackle and Grackle has run creative writing classes and writing events in Houston since 2014. This is a literary award just for Houstonians, to celebrate the creativity and boldness of the people who make up this greatest of American cities.
Sign-Up for our Newsletter below or follow us on Instagram (@grackleandgrackle) to be notified about upcoming contests and events.
Summer Contests:
Green Anole Prize in Poetry
Nine-Banded Armadillo Prize for FictionFall Contests:
Turkey Vulture Prize for Nonfiction
Luna Moth Prize for 10-Minute Plays
