For nearly a century, the Slovenian Union of America has been dedicated to preserving the legacy of our Slovenian heritage. Writing has played an essential role in sustaining our culture and our communities. The SUA Slovenian Literary Award was established in 2019 to honor those who continue this vital tradition.
We are delighted to announce that the 2025 Slovenian Literary Award was presented to Mari Železnik O’Neill for Two Poems: Last Row, Last Seat and Who am I? A link to her winning submission can be found at the top of the list of previous award winners.
Accepting Submissions for The Eighth Annual Slovenian Literary Award from November 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026 at 5 pm EST
Beginning November 1, applicants are invited to provide a biographical statement and submit work here:
2026 Slovenian Literary Award by SUA
• Open to first time writers as well as published authors
• Open to all genres of creative writing, including fiction,
poetry, memoir, creative nonfiction, and personal essays.
• Work must be in a digital format that can be submitted electronically.
• Original work only. No AI.
• Work must be submitted in English.
• Translations accepted only if you are the author of the original work.
• Up to 3 submissions per writer but only one may be book-length.
• Applicants must have a connection to Slovenian culture or heritage.
• Individual writers only, 18 years and up. SUA membership is not required.
• Works are judged blind by a committee that includes writers.
• Winner will be celebrated at the SUA National Convention July 30-August 2, 2026.
For more information please contact: slovenianliteraryaward@gmail.com
PAST WINNERS
2025 Winning Submission Two Poems: Last Row, Last Seat and Who am I? by Mari Železnik O’Neill
2024 Winning Submission A Lesser Weed by Mary Prisland
2023 Winning Submission My Vacation on the Island Rab for F.P. (1921–2010) by Julia N. Petrich
2022 Winning Submission Leaving Home in 1913 by Amy Fradel.
2021 Winning Submission Under Ground by Megan Marsnik
2020 Winning Submission “The Necklace.” by Allyn Howey
2019 Winning Submission “At the Potica Workshop” by Blair Kilpatrick