New Plays 2026
From December 1, 2025 to January 12, 2026 Carnegie Mellon University Literary Press is accepting submissions of finished full-length plays (60-120 min. running time) to be published in our drama series.
Carnegie Mellon University Press celebrates innovative storytelling in dramatic writing. We particularly welcome submissions from emerging playwrights.
How to Submit
Playwrights will need to upload the following to our online submission platform between December 1, 2025 and January 12, 2026 and pay the $25 entry fee.
- Complete script of a full-length play (60-120 min. running time)—please remove your name and other identifying information from this manuscript
- Short description (150 word max) of the submitted play—please remove your name and other identifying information from this document
- Brief (300 word max) playwright bio that includes your name and the title of the play submitted
- Link to your playwright website, if available
FAQ
Who can enter? There are no limitations on entrants with respect to age, nationality, place of residence, professional status, or affiliation with Carnegie Mellon University. No organizer, judge, reader, or their relatives may submit.
What can they submit? Entries must be previously unpublished, full length (60-120 min. running time) plays in English; only one entry per playwright.
Is there an entry fee? Yes. A $25 fee helps us cover the costs of production and publication of the selected works.
How do I enter? Entries are only accepted via our online submissions platform.
When is the submissions period? The window for submissions will open on December 1, 2025 and close January 12, 2026.
Who will judge the entries? The editorial board of Carnegie Mellon University Press.
Can my play have been already produced? Yes, we will consider both produced and unproduced plays.
Will any submissions be published? A maximum of three plays will be published by Carnegie Mellon University Press in 2027.
When will Carnegie Mellon University Press announce their selection? June 2026.
New Literary Translations 2026
From December 1, 2025 to January 12, 2026 Carnegie Mellon University Literary Press is accepting submissions of finished, full-length, translated manuscripts to be published in our literary translation series.
The Carnegie Mellon University Press Literary Translation Series celebrates fresh voices and distinctive storytelling in literary fiction and poetry through the art of translation. We particularly welcome submissions from emerging translators and works by contemporary authors who have not yet found their voice in English.
How to Submit
Translators will need to upload the following to our online submission platform between December 1, 2025 and January 12, 2026 and pay the $25 entry fee.
- Complete manuscript of translated work
- Copy of the original language text
- Brief translator's note (200-500 words) describing the approach to the translation and the choice of text
- Assertion of permission to publish the translated work from the original copyright holder
Important Dates
- Open for submissions: December 1, 2025 to January 12, 2026
- Winners announced: Spring 2026
- Publication: Fall 2027
FAQ
Who can enter? There are no limitations on entrants with respect to age, nationality, place of residence, or professional status. No organizer, judge, reader or their relatives may enter.
What can they submit? Entries must be previously unpublished translations into English of literary fiction, (e.g. a novel or short story collection) or poetry (at least 48 pages, including front matter).
Is there an entry fee? Yes. A $25 fee helps us cover the costs of reading, production, and publication of the selected works.
How do I enter? Entries are only accepted via our online submissions platform.
What is the submission period? The window for submissions will open on December 1, 2025 and close January 12, 2026.
Who will judge the entries? The editorial board of Carnegie Mellon University Press.
Do I need the copyright holder’s permission to enter my translation? Translators are responsible for obtaining the right to publish their translation from the copyright holder. You will be asked to confirm that you have this right upon submission. If your manuscript is selected, we will require written permission from the copyright holder granting you permission to translate the work. If the work is out of copyright, you should check the box certifying that you have the right to translate it.
Will any submissions be published? A maximum of three submissions will be published by Carnegie Mellon University Press in 2027.
When will Carnegie Mellon University Press announce the winners? June 2026.