Book Awards

Starting Fall of 2025, Last Syllable will be holding a post-publication book award contest.

Two awards will be given annually, one in poetry and one in prose.

Prize will include: $1000, travel expenses (transportation, lodging, food) up to an additional $1000, and a headlining feature in the PLNU M.A. in Writing program’s Visiting Writers Series

Entry fee: $25

Postmark deadline: September 1, 2025

Full-length books and chapbooks published in 2023-2025 may be submitted by the author, publisher, or agent. Mixed genre and hybrid books may be submitted in either category.

Entering the title indicates the author’s willingness to give a workshop and reading as part of the PLNU M.A. in Writing program’s Visiting Writers Series in Fall 2026. Agents and publishers who submit on behalf of the author should confirm the author’s willingness to participate in the Visiting Writers Series if chosen for the award.

All work must be submitted in English. Bilingual books that include English are welcome. Self-published books are welcome. Anthologies are not eligible.

Collaborations are welcome; authors will split the prize money and travel expenses.

Please include a cover sheet with the following information:

• Book title, publication date, and genre

• Author’s name, address, phone number, and email address

• Publisher and contact info

• Submitter’s name and contact info (if not the author)

Send a copy of the book, along with a check for $25 (make checks payable to Point Loma Nazarene University with “Last Syllable” in the memo line):

Last Syllable Book Awards
c/o Dr. Katie Manning
3900 Lomaland Drive
San Diego, CA 92106

To pay via credit card instead of check, please use this link (select the “Other” designation and type “Last Syllable” in the comment box):
https://connections.pointloma.edu/donationform.