Fiction and Poetry Competitions: James Knudsen Fiction Prize and Kay Murphy Poetry Prize

The James Knudsen Prize for Fiction and the Kay Murphy Prize for Poetry are currently open. We invite submissions between now and our December 31st deadline. Prize for each contest is $1,000 along with possible publication in Bayou Magazine. Judging for us this year are David James Poissant for Fiction, and D.A. Powell for Poetry.


James Knudsen Prize for Fiction

• Judged by David James Poissant

• WINNER: $1000, publication and a year subscription

• FINALISTS: will be named on our website

• Submissions must be original, previously unpublished works of fiction, no longer than 7,500 words.

• Reading fee: $20 (includes a copy of contest issue)

• You may enter more than one story, but each submission must arrive in a separate envelope or online submission with its own cover sheet and entry fee.

• We accept novel excerpts only if the submission stands alone as a complete short story.

• Please include a cover sheet with your name, address, phone number, email, and the title of your submission. DO NOT include your name on any part of the submission. Any story with identifying material will be disqualified.

• All current and former Bayou staff, as well as current or former students of either judge, are ineligible to submit. 

Kay Murphy Prize for Poetry

• Judged by D.A. Powell

• WINNER $1000, publication and a year subscription

• FINALISTS: will be named on our website

• Submissions must be original, previously unpublished poetry.

• Reading fee: $20 (includes a copy of contest issue)

• You may enter up to three poems per entry.

• You may enter multiple submissions, but each submission must be in a separate envelope or online submission with its own cover sheet and entry fee.

• On the cover sheet, please include your name, address, phone number, email address, and the title of your submission. DO NOT include your name on the pages of the manuscript. Any submission with identifying material will be disqualified.

• All current and former Bayou staff, as well as current or former students of either judge, are ineligible to submit.

We highly encourage all submissions be made online through our submissions manager. 

To submit via snail mail, follow the above submission guidelines and mail with $20 check or money order made out to UNO Foundation.

Mail to:

Bayou Magazine c/o
(James Knudsen Prize for Fiction or Kay Murphy Prize for Poetry)
Department of English University of New Orleans
2000 Lakeshore Drive
New Orleans, LA 70148

Bayou Magazine adheres to the CLMP Contest Code of Ethics.

Note: UNO students and alumni who have graduated in the past 10 years are not eligible for publication in Bayou Magazine. We encourage the UNO affiliated to check out our sister magazine, Ellipsis.