This year, California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick with make the final selection!

Red Wheelbarrow Poetry Prize

Final Judge: Lee Herrick! 

Three prizes: $1,000, $500, $250. 
Five finalists published in 2026 red Wheelbarrow Literary Magazine.  
Letterpress broadside of winning poem printed by Gary Young, Greenhouse Review Press!  

The Red Wheelbarrow Poetry Prize 2026 will be open for submissions on April 1, 2026. Thank you for the opportunity to read your work!

To submit your manuscript, visit: https://redwheelbarrow.submittable.com/submit
                                                                                                         

Submit up to three unpublished poems in a single manuscript. 

• Each poem must fit onto one 8.5 x 11 inch page;

• Do not include any personal identifiers in the manuscript, manuscript file name, and the title line when submitting;

• Short bio acceptable, not required; 

• Deadline to submit: 31 July 2026;

• Fee per manuscript is $15.00;

• Simultaneous submission OK but please notify immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.

• The contest is open to all styles of poetry from national and international participants writing in English except individuals who are employees and/or board members for Red Wheelbarrow Literary Magazine  and Poetry Center San José.

The 2025 winners: 1st prize: Emily Pease, "Veer" (Williamsburg, VA); 2nd prize: Michele Parker Randall, "Mother Lode" (Sanford, FL); 3rd prize: Melissa McKinstry, "Once Opened" (San Diego, CA). 

Red Wheelbarrow Poetry Prize is sponsored by Poetry Center San José and Red Wheelbarrow Literary Magazine.

For information about Red Wheelbarrow Literary Magazine, visit https://www.deanza.edu/english/creative-writing/red-wheelbarrow.html