The Santa Fe Writers Project (SFWP) operates as both a literary press and an awards program, and this call reflects that dual identity. The 2026 Literary Awards Program is open to fiction and creative nonfiction of any genre, with no entry fee, and all submissions will be considered by SFWP's publishing wing. The judge is Nikesha Elise Williams, a two-time Emmy award-winning producer, author of The Seven Daughters of Dupree, and host of the Black and Published podcast. Her involvement signals a curatorial interest in voices that are both artistically rigorous and culturally engaged. SFWP is a traditional publisher with global distribution, and its catalog demonstrates a commitment to a wide range of literary forms—past winners have included upmarket novels, short story collections, flash fiction, memoir, essays, and magical realism. The press aggressively pursues subrights and has secured translation, audio, and film/TV deals for many titles. This is not a contest that ends with publication alone; it is an entry point into a publishing relationship with full marketing support and established trade relationships. While based in Santa Fe, the program is explicitly not regional. Writers from anywhere in the world are eligible, and the press publishes authors from a broad geographic spectrum. The absence of a fee and the promise of consideration by the publishing wing make this a rare opportunity for writers seeking traditional publication without financial barrier. The deadline is January 5, 2027, and the award is for unpu