Pleiades welcomes submissions to the Prufer Poetry Prize during the month of October. The winner will receive $1,000 and publication in Pleiades: Literature in Context. The 2026 award will be judged by Sadie Dupuis.
The Prufer Poetry Prize honors Kevin Prufer, founding editor of Pleiades and former University of Central Missouri professor. We are grateful for his contributions to the magazine and to generations of UCM students.
Submissions are open from October 1 through October 31 at 11:59 PM CST. Writers may submit 1–3 poems per entry fee.
Guidelines
- Submit 1–3 poems in a single submission file.
- Upload your manuscript via our Duosuma Submissions Portal.
- Do not include any identifying information on the manuscript.
- Include your payment order number in your cover letter.
- Multiple submissions are permitted, provided each entry includes a separate fee.
- We do not accept submissions via email. For questions, please contact pleiades@ucmo.edu.
- Work submitted outside the October submission window will not be considered.
- All entrants will be notified by email. The winner will be announced in late fall.
Entry Fee
- A $20 entry fee is required for each submission.
- Payment must be completed separately through our Payment Portal.
- Submissions without a corresponding entry fee will not be considered.
- Fee waivers are considered; please email pleiades@ucmo.edu.
We can’t wait to read your submissions!