Call for Submission: 2024 Iron Horse/TTU Press First Book of Prose Prize

Texas Tech University Press and Iron Horse Literary Review are pleased to announce the Iron Horse First Book Prize, awarded annually to a writer for their first book, specifically a book of collected prose. We will not accept a manuscript by a writer who has already published a first book in other genres. The author of the winning entry will receive $1000, and their collection will be published in 2025 by Texas Tech University Press. 

 We are looking for emerging writers who have yet to publish a first book. We are seeking collections of prose, either short fiction or nonfiction, especially stories and essays from and about places and people that are often overlooked and underrepresented in contemporary letters, but we have no preferences as to subjects or themes. Entries may come from writers who have published individual essays or stories--including works collected in the submitted manuscript--but it is not required. We are simply interested in strong voices, diverse  perspectives, and fresh takes on what it means to be human.

The winner will be chosen by Katie Cortese, director of Texas Tech University Press, an associate professor in the Creative Writing Program at Texas Tech University, and author of Make Way for Her and Other Stories.

ENTRY FEE: $15, which directly supports the series.

SUBMISSION DATES: June 15 to August 15.

FREE SUBMISSION DATE: July 15. On this day, we will accept a limited number of submissions free of charge to ensure the inclusion of as many authors as possible. If you can afford to pay the fee, we ask that you reserve the free slots for others who may not be able to submit otherwise. If you miss the July 15th free submission day and would like to submit your work but cannot pay the fee, please feel welcome to contact Travis Snyder at Texas Tech University Press (travis.snyder@ttu.edu), but not before July 15th.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS: Click on the link here (insert link here) for instructions on how to submit and format your manuscript.

For more information on Texas Tech University Press, visit their website

For more information on Iron Horse Literary Review, visit their website

We can’t wait for the gates to open, and to start receiving and reading submissions from you. Please be sure to mark the dates on your calendar so you do not forget!