The Idaho Prize
The Idaho Prize is an annual, national competition offering $1,000 plus publication by Lost Horse Press for a book-length poetry manuscript. Manuscripts are accepted for review before May 15 of each year, and on 15 August, a winner is announced. In addition to announcements in national publications, the winning book and author will be featured on the Lost Horse Press website, along with a list of the finalists.
Submission Guidelines
- Contest Deadline: Entries must be postmarked by May 15th
- Winners Announced: August 15th
- $1,000 cash prize, plus publication by Lost Horse Press
- Entry fee: $25 check or money order only, please.
Send manuscripts of 48 or more pages of poetry, no more than one poem per page, no smaller than 12 point type in an easily readable font. Poems may have appeared in journals and chapbooks, but not in full-length, single-author collections.
Name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and title of poetry collection must appear on the cover letter only. The goal is “blind” judging. Author’s name should not appear anywhere in manuscript except the cover letter.
No restriction on content, style, or subject—we’re looking for the best manuscript.
All checks or money orders for entry fee—$25—should be made payable to Lost Horse Press. Submissions without a reading fee enclosed will not be considered. A $50 fee will be charged for returned checks.
Include SASE (number #10 business envelope) with sufficient postage for notification of finalists and winner. Manuscripts will be recycled. We are sorry but manuscripts cannot be returned.
If manuscripts arrive postage due, they will be returned.
Use white, lightweight paper. Quality paper won’t impress readers the way a quality manuscript will.
Typed and printed on one side of the paper only. No handwriting should appear anywhere on the manuscript.
Entries submitted by e-mail or fax are not permitted and will be disqualified.
Send submissions to: Lost Horse Press, 105 Lost Horse Lane, Sandpoint, Idaho 83864.
Code of Ethics
CLMP’s community of independent literary publishers believes that ethical contests serve our shared goal: to connect writers and readers by publishing exceptional writing. We believe that intent to act ethically, clarity of guidelines, and transparency of process form the foundation of an ethical contest. To that end, we agree to 1) conduct our contests as ethically as possible and to address any unethical behavior on the part of our readers, judges, or editors; 2) to provide clear and specific contest guidelines—defining conflict of interest for all parties involved; and 3) to make the mechanics of our selection process available to the public. This Code recognizes that different contest models produce different results, but that each model can be run ethically. We have adopted this Code to reinforce our integrity and dedication as a publishing community and to ensure that our contests contribute to a vibrant literary heritage.