Submissions
Our editors are looking for high quality literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry that combine a distinct voice with a distinct vision. Our editors seek out and solicit promising work from authors that they encounter in the pages of magazines, at writing conferences, and in other venues.
As of September 2025, we have decided to conclude the Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize. We are grateful to have published many genre-defining and genre-defying books during the prize’s twenty-year history, and we will continue to seek out and champion risk-taking works of literary nonfiction.
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Poetry
Graywolf Press partners with the Academy of American Poets and Cave Canem to publish and promote the work of new and emerging writers.
Walt Whitman Award
The Walt Whitman Award is a $5,000 first book publication prize given to an American poet. In addition to publication and promotion by Graywolf Press, the winner receives an all-expenses-paid six-week residency at the Civitella Ranieri Center in Umbria, Italy, and a trip to New York City to attend the American Poets Prizes ceremony. The Academy of American Poets purchases copies of the winning book to distribute to thousands of its members. For more information please visit the Academy of American Poets website.
Cave Canem Poetry Prize
Graywolf Press is one of the publishers of the Cave Canem Poetry Prize, a first book award dedicated to the discovery of exceptional manuscripts by African American poets. Graywolf publishes every third winner of the prize. More information is available on the Cave Canem website.
Nonfiction
Agents may submit nonfiction submissions to the appropriate editor for consideration.
As of September 2025, we have decided to conclude the Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize. We are grateful to have been published many genre-defining and genre-defying books during the prize’s twenty-year history, and we will continue to seek out and champion risk-taking works of literary nonfiction.
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Fiction
Agents may submit fiction submissions to the appropriate editor for consideration.
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The Craft of Writing
This collection of pieces on the craft of writing are contributed by Graywolf authors and staff members.