2026 American Literary Review Awards Winners

We are pleased to announce the winners and runners-up for our 2026 American Literary Review Awards!

Poetry Contest Results, judged by Carl Phillips

Winner: “Butt Joint” by Matt Dhillon

Runners-up:

• “South Bay Cebuano” by Keana Aguila Labra (first runner-up)
• “Here in the After” by Nicole Robinson (second runner-up)

Short Fiction Contest Results, judged by Olufunke Grace Bankole

Winner: “A Hymen Tale” by Ibrahim Babátúndé Ibrahim

Runners-up:

• “Conquistadores” by A. J. Rodriguez (first runner-up)
• “The Lemon Tree” by Laura O’Gorman Schwartz (second runner-up)

Essays Contest Results, judged by Ira Sukrungruang

Winner: “In the Absence of Findings” by Rebecca Hanauer

Runners-up:

• “Amas Veritas” by Wes Jamison (first runner-up)
• “Prairie Fire” by Emily Uecker (second runner-up)

The awards winners will each receive $1,000 and publication in our Spring 2026 issue!