National Program Directors' Prize for Undergraduate Literary Magazines
2012 Winners & 2013 Guidelines

The Association of Writers & Writing Programs is pleased to announce the winners of the 2010 National Program Directors' Prizes for Undergraduate Literary Magazines. Instituted by the directors of AWP member creative writing programs, the prizes are awarded annually in the categories of content and design. Each winning magazine-one in content, one in design- receives a $500 cash award. For a list of previous winners, please see: Past Winners 2001-2011. Information about and submission guidelines for the 2013 prize can be found at the bottom of this page.

2012 Design Winner:

Sans Merci Shepherd University "The journal offered enough white space to invite reading without splashy wasting for "effect." I approved the contrasting, distinct mix of the type styles—sans serif, continuing from the cover, for titles; serif for the text of poem or story. The color artwork was judiciously positioned, with a preparatory signature of duotones. The cover motif effectively wrapped over to cover 4, continuing its themes, but front or back could be viewed alone with pleasure. The line drawings complemented the text without overwhelming it by quantity or position." -Content Judge: Roger Lathbury, George Mason University

2011 Content Winner:

SLAB Slippery Rock University "SLAB manages to combine a cohesive editorial vision with diversity of content, favoring language-conscious prose and poetry that take risks of one kind or another. The journal publishes a strong mix of emerging and somewhat more established writers, offering a venue for interesting work that falls just outside the purview of some better-known publications." -Content Judge: Elise Blackwell, University of South Carolina

2013 Submission Guidelines:

Undergraduate literary magazines published between March 15, 2012 & March 15, 2013 are eligible for consideration. Magazines must be staffed & edited primarily by undergraduate students & must include some undergraduate writing. Two copies of a single issue of the magazines should be submitted as representative of the year's production. Each entry should be accompanied by a cover letter which should contain complete contact information. The final judges for content & design will be announced at the conclusion of the competition.

Winners will be announced in the The Writer's Chronicle & in other media, & winning magazines will be featured at AWP's Annual Conference the following year. Prize money will be sent directly to the winning magazines.

Submissions must arrive at AWP by March 15th, 2013. Send two copies of one issue and contact information to: National Program Directors' Prizes, The Association of Writers & Writing Programs, MSN 1E3, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444.

Back to Top