The John C. Zacharis First Book Award was instituted in 1991 to honor the best first book of poetry or fiction by a Ploughshares writer. The award carries a cash prize of $1,500 to the winning author, who is also featured in the "Postscripts" section of the Winter issue.
This award is not open for the submission of manuscripts, nor does it include publication of the winning book. Only first full-length books of poetry or fiction — by a writer whose work has been in Ploughshares, released by an established publisher — are eligible.
Genres alternate annually, with the poetry award given in even years, the fiction in odd years. The release date for the current year's genre should be within the last two years (September 1 to August 31). Finalists are selected by our advisory editors, with a Ploughshares trustee acting as the conclusive judge. The award is announced in October.
Two copies, noting the Zacharis eligibility, should be sent to Ploughshares office for consideration. We prefer finished copies, but if the publication date is close to our deadline of August 31, bound galleys will do. Direct copies to Ladette Randolph, Editor. Publishers should also note that Ploughshares has a regular book review section.