At The Hemlock Journal, we believe that exceptional writing deserves not only publication but also recognition beyond our pages. With this vision in mind, we are delighted to introduce Pushcart Prize nominations for works published in our regular issues.

Beginning with works published in 2026, The Hemlock Journal will officially nominate outstanding pieces for the Pushcart Prize

How the Selection Process Works

All works published in our Spring, Summer, and Winter issues will automatically be considered for nomination. (Please note that special issues featuring winners of The Hemlock Journal Writing Contests will not be included in this selection process. They do have seperate Prizes)

From these eligible publications, our editorial team will undertake a careful review process to highlight pieces that exemplify literary excellence, originality, and emotional resonance.

The Timeline

1. Shortlist Announcement

In January 2027, we will release a shortlist of outstanding works selected from submissions we will received and publish throughout 2026. This shortlist will feature remarkable prose and poetry that stood out to our editors.

Note : Only Published (Spring, Summer, and Winter Issues) works will be considered for Pushcart Prize Nominations

2. Official Nominations

Following the shortlist announcement, we will reveal the official works nominated by The Hemlock Journal for the Pushcart Prize.

3. The Hemlock Pushcart Prize Winners

Finally, we will announce two internal recognitions from the nominated pieces:

Best Prose — Award: $50

Best Poetry — Award: $50

Inclusion in Annual Anthology

All works that receive Pushcart Prize nominations from The Hemlock Journal will also be included in our Annual Anthology, ensuring that these remarkable pieces are preserved together in a single volume celebrating the year’s finest writing published in our journal.

We look forward to announcing the 2026 shortlist in January 2027 and celebrating the remarkable prose and poetry that have shaped our pages.

Issue 10 Submissions closing on March 15th, 2026 (Submit your work and get a chance to win Pushcart Prize or Pushcart Nominations)