Gunpowder Press hosts several annual poetry prizes, from awards for individual poems to full-length books. For current reading periods, visit our Submittable page.
Alta California Chapbook Series
The Alta California Chapbook Series is edited by Emma Trelles and is focused on publishing Latinx poets living in California.
Barry Spacks Poetry Prize
The Spacks Prize is inspired by Santa Barbara’s first Poet Laureate, Barry Spacks. The Spacks Prize is awarded annually. Manuscripts accepted January 1-April 30.
Dryden-Vreeland Book Prize
The Dryden-Vreeland Prize is awarded for a full-length manuscript by a poet who works at a middle- or high-school teacher.
John Ridland Poetry Prize
The Ridland Prize honors poet, professor, and translator John Ridland, who continued to create meaningful and elegantly-crafted work throughout his life.
Carol Decanio Abeles Young Poets Prize
The Carol Decanio Abeles Young Poets Prize is awarded for individual poems by elementary school-aged poets who have participated in the California Poets in the Schools program in Santa Barbara County. The Young Poets Prize honors Santa Barbara poet Carol Decanio Abeles.
Carol Decanio Abeles Emerging Poets Prize
The Carol Decanio Abeles Emerging Poets Prize recognizes extraordinary poems by adult poets in Santa Barbara County who have not yet published a full-length book of poems. The Prize honors Santa Barbara poet Carol Decanio Abeles.