PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers 2026

The PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers 2026 recognizes twelve emerging writers each year for their debut short story published in a literary magazine, journal, or cultural website, and aims to support the launch of their careers as fiction writers. The winning writers receive a cash prize and will be published in an annual anthology. Submissions are managed by editors of eligible publications who submit debut short stories by the authors.

A $2,000 cash prize and publication by Catapult in Best Debut Short Stories: The PEN America Dau Prize anthology.

Editors from eligible literary magazines, journals, or cultural websites may submit a writer’s debut short story that was published in English in the applicable calendar year.