Prix PEN/Robert J. Dau de la nouvelle pour les auteurs émergents

The PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers is an annual literary award presented by PEN America to support the launch of emerging fiction writers. Each year, twelve debut short stories—published in a literary magazine, journal, or cultural website in English during the current calendar year—are selected by a panel of three judges. The winning writers receive a $2,000 cash prize and have their stories published in the anthology "Best Debut Short Stories: The PEN America Dau Prize" by Autumn House Press. Eligibility is limited to editors of eligible publications who can submit up to four stories from debut authors; authors may not submit their own work. Stories must be original, unpublished elsewhere, and not translations. The award is open to writers worldwide, with no residency or travel requirements. Submissions are made online via a form site, and the deadline for the 2026 cycle is September 1, 2026. The prize is part of PEN America’s broader mission to promote literary freedom and support writers across the globe.

Publication of winning stories in the annual anthology "Best Debut Short Stories: The PEN America Dau Prize" and a $2,000 cash prize.

Stories must be the writer’s debut short story published in a literary magazine, journal, or cultural website in English between January 1 and December 31 of the current year. Submissions are made by editors only; authors may not submit their own work. Self‑published stories, translations, and stories with multiple authors are ineligible. Writers with prior books or extensive published work are also excluded.