Established in 2017, the Dzanc Books/Disquiet Open Borders Book Prize seeks book-length manuscripts in fiction or nonfiction exhibiting a marked commitment to mutual understanding and cultural exchange across the globe. As the United States Government moves to erect barriers both physical and legal, Dzanc Books and the Disquiet International Literary Program in Lisbon, Portugal, strive to promote literature that crosses boundaries and to advocate for a diverse, global literary discourse. The winning submission will be awarded a $5,000 advance and publication in Fall 2018 by the Disquiet imprint of Dzanc Books.
Examples of qualifying works include but are not limited to works set partially or entirely outside of the United States or charting the narratives of foreign characters in America, works in translation (though a full manuscript must be available), as well as works that encompass a greater global concept, diversity of voice, and racial and cultural awareness. Novels, short story collections, memoir, essay collections, and cross-genre works are all welcome.
This contest is open to new, upcoming, and established writers alike. Agented submissions are also eligible, and we ask that you include all agency contact information with the application. All submitted works must be previously unpublished novel-length manuscripts and should include a brief synopsis, author bio, and contact information. The full work should be formatted as a Word .doc or .docx file.
We will accept submissions from March 1st, 2017
through midnight on September 15th, 2017. There is a
$25 submission fee. (Note: we will not accept physical entries.) The winning submission and a
short list of finalists will be announced on the Dzanc web page on November 1st.
Dzanc Books is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All contest fees will go
toward funding the prize as well as supporting Dzanc’s commitment to producing
quality literary works, providing creative writing instruction in public
schools through the Dzanc Writers-in-Residence program, and offering low-cost
workshops for aspiring authors.
