Nightboat Books, a publisher renowned for its commitment to innovative poetry, poetics, and cross-genre work, opens its annual Poetry Prize for 2026. The award affirms the press's dedication to cultivating a diverse and intellectually rigorous literary community. The winning poet will receive publication by Nightboat Books, joining a distinguished list of authors whose work interrogates the boundaries of contemporary writing. The competition is open to poets at any stage of their career, though the press's catalog suggests a predilection for manuscripts that demonstrate formal ambition, conceptual depth, and a willingness to engage with the pressing aesthetic and political questions of our time. Nightboat's editorial vision favors work that is both lyrical and critically engaged, often blurring the lines between poetry, criticism, and other disciplines. Submissions must be a minimum of 48 pages, paginated, with no more than one poem per page. A title page, table of contents, and acknowledgments page (if applicable) are required. While images are permitted, the press cannot print in full color. Simultaneous submissions are accepted. The reading fee is $28.00 USD. The deadline for entry is November 15, 2026. This is a significant opportunity for poets seeking a publisher with a national and international distribution network and a reputation for nurturing lasting literary careers.