The Michigan Writers Cooperative Press Chapbook Contest is an annual competition that results in the publication of selected chapbooks. Administered by Michigan Writers, Inc., the press is dedicated to helping emerging writers achieve a first book publication in a literary genre. The contest considers poetry, short-story collections, and creative nonfiction. Manuscripts are evaluated solely on literary merit, and the press reserves the right not to publish if no suitable manuscripts are found. The judging process is multi-tiered: genre-specific readers assess all eligible submissions and forward up to three manuscripts per genre to the final judges. The 2027 judges are Keith Taylor (poetry), Heather Shumaker (creative nonfiction), and Christine Maul Rice (fiction). This structure ensures that each manuscript receives specialized attention before reaching the final stage. Eligibility is restricted to current members of Michigan Writers, Inc. who have not been the sole or primary author of a full-length literary book. This criterion underscores the contest's focus on emerging writers. There is no entry fee, aligning with the press's mission to support writers at a critical early stage. The deadline for submissions is December 2, 2026.