PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers 2026 (With up to $2,000 in Prize)

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About PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers

The PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers 2026, an annual literary award that celebrates debut short stories by new fiction writers.

• Sponsor Organisation: PEN America

Benefits of PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers

• Winners receive a $2,000 cash prize and publication in the anthology Best Debut Short Stories by Catapult.

PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers Requirements

• Stories must be submitted by editors of literary magazines, journals, or cultural websites.

• Must be the author’s first fiction publication in any language.

• Stories must be originally written and published in English.

• Translations and self-submissions by authors are not eligible.

• Editors may submit up to four stories from debut authors per award year.

• Stories must be under 12,000 words and free of identifying information.

Application Date and Process

• Click on the link to the application website to apply.

Application Deadline

25 November, 2025

Scholarship Application Portal

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