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Submissions

FLP is an award-winning small press publisher and a proud member of the Community of Literary Magazines & Presses (CLMP). 

We are home to several prestigious competitions and programs that celebrate emerging and established voices, including: 

  • Donna Wolf-Palacio Poetry Prize: ANNUAL DEADLINE: June 15
  • New Women’s Voices Chapbook Competition: ANNUAL DEADLINE: Oct. 15 
  • One Last Word Program (awarded by committee)
  • Open Chapbook Competition: ANNUAL DEADLINE: Feb. 15
  • Ritzenhein Emerging Poet Award Winner (awarded by committee)

 

General submissions for manuscripts. (We read general submissions year round for a small fee.) 

 FLP publishes poetry, fiction, short stories, plays, screenplays, children’s books, memoir, and more.

We have no reading fee in November for general submissions of all genres. (Does not apply to contest entries.)

FLP is a traditional publisher. FLP pays in royalty payments. There is no fee for the author.

 

2027 Open Chapbook Competition

 
Open to all.
 
A prize of $1,500 and publication by Finishing Line Press is given annually for a poetry chapbook. Manuscripts written in a language other than English are accepted when accompanied by an English translation. Submit a manuscript of 16 to 34 pages, a brief bio, acknowledgments, and a cover letter with a $20 entry fee. Please do not include your name on the manuscript. The bio should be included on the cover letter only.  
 
We do allow hybrid manuscripts in addition to traditional poetry manuscripts: prose poetry or formal verse.
 
We do allow art to be included with the manuscript. Please follow page count guidelines. One page of art is equal to one page of poetry.
 
All entries are considered for publication. 
 
Deadline: February 15, 2027
 
Douglas Cole will judge. 
 
FLP strongly encourages submission via our submittable page: http://finishinglinepress.submittable.com/submit
 
These are the complete guidelines.
 
To send via regular postal service:
Entry fee: $20 made out to Finishing Line Press
Finishing Line Press,
Open Chapbook Competition
P.O. Box 1626
Georgetown, KY 40324
 
 
 
A word about the judge:
 
Douglas Cole has published two novels and eight poetry books. He also writes the column “Trading Fours,” for Jerry Jazz Musician. His work has appeared in Beloit Poetry, Fiction International, Valpariaso, The Gallway Review and Two Hawks Quarterly. He has received two International Impact Awards and two American Best Book Awards, and his screenplay of The White Field, won the Best Screenplay Award in the Elegant International Film Festival, the Fusionfilm International Festival and the Pageant Film Festival. He received the Leslie Hunt Memorial prize in poetry, Best of Poetry Award from Clapboard House, First Prize in the “Picture Worth 500 Words” from Tattoo Highway, and the Editors’ Choice Award in fiction byRiverSedge. He has been nominated Eight times for a Pushcart and Nine times for Best of the Net. His website is https://douglastcole.com.
 

How to Submit Online

Please submit your manuscripts via our Submittable portal.  We have no reading fee in November. FLP does not allow Ai generated writing or artwork.

Submit Your Manuscript Here

Postal Submissions

To submit via regular US Postal Service:

Send to:

Finishing Line Press

P O Box 1626

Georgetown, KY 40324

Include a SASE for postal submissions.

 Please allow 3 to 6 months for response.

Editorial and Production Team

Leah Huete de Maines

Publisher

Christen Kincaid

Director

Kevin Maines

Business Manager

Ryan Kincaid

Production Manager

Elizabeth Maines

Graphic Design

Maureen Baxter

Editorial Assistant 

Jackie Steelman

Editorial Assistant

Caitlyn Rider

Editorial Assistant

Shay McCleavy

Filmmaker and Screenplay Advisor

Additional Staff:

Mimi David

Publicist

Jeannie Murphy 

Staff Member

Joe Morrison 

Staff Member

Permissions for Reprinting

If you are an FLP author seeking permission to reprint individual poems from your collection, please contact: 

Frederick T. Courtright, President 
The Permissions Company, LLC 
6101 Old Court Rd APT 139 
Boca Raton, FL 33433