Deadline: January 15, 2026
Are you a talented young writer looking to showcase your creativity on a national stage? The Penguin Random House Creative Writing Awards 2026 are now open for applications, offering U.S. high school seniors a unique opportunity to win prestigious literary prizes and scholarships worth up to $10,000.
Since 1993, Penguin Random House has supported diverse voices and emerging talent through this award, contributing over $2.9 million in scholarships. This is your chance to shine and get recognised for your literary skills!
About the Penguin Random House Creative Writing Awards 2026
The Penguin Random House Creative Writing Awards celebrate exceptional literary talent among U.S. high school seniors. In partnership with We Need Diverse Books (WNDB), the programme provides scholarships, national recognition, and access to career development opportunities for aspiring young writers.
Applicants are invited to submit original works in various genres including poetry, spoken word, fiction, personal essays, and freedom of expression prompts.
Award Categories and Prizes
The 2026 edition of the awards features five major categories, each offering a $10,000 scholarship prize:
- Maya Angelou Award for Spoken Word – $10,000
- Amanda Gorman Award for Poetry – $10,000
- James Baldwin Award for Fiction – $10,000
- Michelle Obama Award for Memoir/Personal Essay – $10,000
- Chinua Achebe Award for Freedom of Expression – $10,000
Additional recognitions include:
- Up to 100 Honorable Mention recipients will receive a Creativity Kit from Penguin Random House.
- An extra $10,000 first-place prize is reserved for the top entrant from the New York City area.
Application Deadline
The deadline for the Penguin Random House Creative Writing Awards 2026 is:
📌 January 15, 2026, at 3:00 PM Central Time
⚠️ Important: Applications will close earlier if 1,000 submissions are received before the deadline. It’s best to apply early!
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Penguin Random House Creative Writing Awards 2026, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a current high school senior in the United States at a public high school, graduating in Spring 2026.
- Be 21 years old or younger.
- Plan to enrol in an accredited college, university, or vocational-technical programme in Fall 2026.
- Submit one original literary composition in English, in one of the following genres:
- Poetry
- Spoken Word
- Fiction / Drama
- Personal Essay / Memoir
- Freedom of Expression prompt
Submission Guidelines
All submissions must follow strict formatting and content rules:
- Typed, double-spaced, minimum 12-point font.
- Maximum length of 10 pages.
- Multiple-page entries must include page numbering (e.g. 1/3, 2/3, 3/3).
- For fiction submissions, a minimum of 4 pages is recommended.
- Spoken word entries must include both a typed version and an audio file.
- Only one entry per student is allowed.
Programme Benefits
Beyond the prize money, winners will have the chance to join a virtual development week in summer. This includes:
- One-on-one meetings with Penguin Random House editors
- Networking sessions with industry professionals
- Publishing panels and career guidance opportunities
This is a valuable experience for any young writer dreaming of a literary career.
How to Apply
Ready to submit your best work? Follow these steps carefully:
- Review the eligibility and submission guidelines thoroughly.
- Prepare your literary composition according to the required format.
- Complete the online application before the deadline.
👉 Read more about the Programme
Final Thoughts
The Penguin Random House Creative Writing Awards 2026 offer an unparalleled opportunity for talented young writers to be celebrated, mentored, and financially supported as they pursue their academic and creative dreams. If you’re passionate about writing, don’t miss this chance to make your voice heard on a national platform.
📩 Contact us for proposal drafting, refining and review — we can help polish your application to increase your chances of winning.
