Waterston Desert Writing Prize
Final weeks! The submission window for the 2026 Waterston Desert Writing Prize is closing soon! Writers of literary nonfiction works centered on deserts have until Friday, May 1, 2026, to submit their proposals for the 2026 award. There is no fee to apply.
The Prize celebrates the vital role deserts play in our global ecosystem and human narrative. Founded by Oregon Poet Laureate Ellen Waterston, the award provides critical support to writers whose work reflects a deep connection to these unique landscapes.
The 2026 winner will receive a $3,000 cash prize, a residency at PLAYA in Summer Lake, Oregon, and a featured reading at the High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon, in September.
Visit the Waterston Desert Writing Prize to review the submission guidelines and enter today.
