The Lost Kite Editions Chapbook Prize is awarded annually to a chapbook of any genre (fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, etc.). Collaborative, hybrid, and multi-genre submissions are also welcome. The winning author will receive a $1,500 award and 20 contributor copies. The winning chapbook will be published in spring, 2027.

 

The contest will be open from April 1st to April 30th, 2026. We accept submissions from all writers, but make a concerted effort to welcome submissions from incarcerated writers. To that end, incarcerated writers will be welcome to submit until August 31st, 2026.

​

The winning manuscript will be selected by Hanif Abdurraqib.

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

GUIDELINES​

​

• We will accept submissions primarily through our Submittable account. However, incarcerated writers (and those submitting on their behalf) are welcome to submit by postal mail (P.O. Box 6037, Minneapolis, MN 55406) or by email (submissions@lostkite.org). If submitting through the postal mail, please do not send us the only copy of your manuscript; we will not be able to return it to you. Additionally, please include a return address where we can send a notification about the status of your submission. All writers will be notified about the status of their submissions via the medium through which they submitted (Submittable, mail, or email). If you are not an incarcerated writer or submitting on behalf of one, please submit using Submittable.

​

• Please do not include your name anywhere within the manuscript itself. Along with your manuscript, please submit a cover letter with a brief biographical note and, if desired, a statement or description that contextualizes your submitted work. While we may consider publishing work under a pseudonym, please include your legal name in your cover letter.

​

• Chapbooks should be between 20 and 50 pages in length (this does not include title, section break, or acknowledgement pages). We won't turn you away if you are a few pages over or under, but please stay close to that limit.

​

• Manuscripts containing individual stories, essays, poems, or excerpts that have been previously published online or in print are eligible; please simply note previously published work in your cover letter. If your manuscript has been previously published as a whole (including publication with a press, self-publication, online/digital publication, and publication in a small, limited-edition print run), however, then the manuscript is not eligible.

​

• The submission fee for non-incarcerated writers is $5. This fee is waved for incarcerated writers.

​

• Simultaneous submissions are accepted. Please withdraw your manuscript(s) from consideration immediately if you plan to publish it elsewhere.

​

• You are welcome to submit multiple manuscripts. The $5 submission fee will apply to each manuscript submitted.

​

• We do not accept work generated with artificial intelligence.

​

• Typed submissions are preferred, but we will consider handwritten submissions from incarcerated writers, as well.