When to submit
We will accept submissions from September 1, 2025 through November 30, 2025. All decisions will be sent within a month after the reading period closes. We aim to publish an anthology of winners, including a list of acknowledged finalists, in Spring 2026 both digitally and in print.
What to submit
We are looking for poetry, prose, hybrid, and art created by queer, trans, and gender variant writers and artists. We seek to uplift work that pushes the boundaries of genre and craft, highlights untold and under-told perspectives, and challenges us to view the world anew.
Guidelines and Eligibility
- Submissions must come from the editor(s) of the publication. Journals and independent presses are both eligible.
- The work submitted must have been initially published between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025, either online or in print.
- We accept poetry, fiction, nonfiction, hybrid, and art. Each journal or press may submit:
- Up to five poems of no more than 10 pages in total, AND/OR
- Up to two fiction pieces of no more than 3,000 words apiece, AND/OR
- Up to two nonfiction pieces of no more than 3,000 words apiece, AND/OR
- Up to two hybrid pieces of no more than 3,000 words apiece, AND/OR
- Up to five art pieces.
- Both cover art and interior art are eligible for submission.
- We do not accept any work that has been generated, in part or in full, by artificial intelligence.
- We do not accept any work that contains any form of hate speech.
- If accepted, we ask for non-exclusive anthology rights.
How to submit
Please submit using our form (link available September 1, 2025).
IMPORTANT:
Our world is becoming increasingly hostile to queer people, who are often targeted by harassment and discrimination both on- and offline. While it is more important than ever to celebrate queer expression, we must prioritize the safety of the community this award is designed to uplift. For this reason, we require that you ask your authors if they would like to be nominated for this award before you submit their work for consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this award open to international submissions?
Yes.
Can I nominate a teen for this award?
Due to the difficult and mature topics we anticipate being addressed in work submitted to this anthology, we are limiting eligibility to authors age 16 or older at time of the initial publication of their work.
What if I want to nominate a piece by a queer author, but it’s not about queer issues?
We seek submissions of work by queer writers and artists on any topic or issue.
Can I nominate multiple pieces by the same author?
The same author may be independently nominated by multiple publications, but each publication may only nominate one piece from each of their authors.
I’m an author. Can I nominate myself?
Unfortunately, no. We encourage you to bookmark fifth wheel press’s other submission opportunities.
I’m an editor at a publication where a member of the awards committee also works. Can I nominate an author from this publication?
Yes, you may. The committee member(s) associated with your publication will recuse themselves from voting on the author you nominate. Committee members cannot be nominated for an award. Other fifth wheel press publications cannot nominate authors for an award.
Can I nominate a piece of erotica?
No. Queer erotica is a valuable art form in its own right, but we are not a venue for it at this time.
Can I submit my nominations via email?
No. Please use our submission form (link available September 1, 2025). If you are experiencing technical difficulties with the form, please reach out at monarch@fifthwheelpress.com for clarification.
Is there a monetary prize associated with this award?
No. However, we are seeking grant funding to pay contributors in the future.
My question isn’t answered here!
Email us at monarch@fifthwheelpress.com and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!