The Publishing Laboratory At The University of New Orleans

The Publishing Laboratory at the University of New Orleans invites submissions of unpublished novels or short‑story collections. The contest runs from March 1 to August 31, 2026, with 15–20 finalists selected by a panel of students. One finalist will be chosen for publication and receive a $10,000 advance on royalties, a publishing contract, and distribution through the university press. The competition is open to authors worldwide, regardless of prior publishing history, and accepts works of fiction only—no word limit or subject restriction. Submissions are made via Submittable, with a $28.00 entry fee. The University of New Orleans Press, based at the university and distributed by Hopkins Fulfillment Services, oversees the process. The editor‑in‑chief is Abram Shalom Himelstein.

Publication contract with University of New Orleans Press

Open to all authors worldwide, works of fiction (novels or short story collections) only, no word limit, no subject restriction