The University of Pittsburgh Press will increase the cash award for its annual Drue Heinz Literature Prize  from $15,000 to $25,000 for 2027.

The Drue Heinz Literature Prize, now in its 45th year, is one of the largest awards for literary short fiction.

The prize also is expanding eligibility to authors who have published a novel or book-length collection of fiction in reputable digital and online-only publications, in addition to the previous categories of works with a reputable book publisher, or a minimum of three short stories or novellas in reputable magazines and journals. The digital sources were added in response to the evolution of literary media forums.

Additionally, for the first time, manuscripts translated into English will be considered for the prize.

The submission period has been moved from May and June to July 1 to 31, 2026, for the 2027 prize, and every July going forward.. 

“The Drue Heinz Literature Prize has long been an important venue for fiction writers on their publishing journey with its focus on discovering powerful and inventive story collections and introducing them to new readers, booksellers and librarians,” said Peter Kracht, director of the Pitt Press. “With these updates, we ensure there's always a place for the short story collection in the literary landscape."

A detailed list of criteria can be found on the Pitt Press website.