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 2026 Slovenian Literary Award was presented to Joseph Labernik at the Centennial Convention in July. A link to Four Ghost Stories, his winning submission, can be found on the list of award winners elsewhere on this page.
The Ninth Annual SUA Slovenian Literary Award opens on November 1st, 2026.
Accepting Submissions from November 1, 2026 – January 31, 2027 at 5 pm EST
Beginning on November 1, work may be submitted here: 2027 Slovenian Literary Award by SUA
- Open to first time writers as well as published authors
- Open to all genres of creative writing.
- Short stories, novels, poetry, memoir, creative nonfiction, & personal essays are welcome.
- 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 announced on SUA social media in June of 2027.
For more information, please contact: slovenianliteraryaward@gmail.com
PAST WINNERS
2026 Winning Submission: Four Ghost Stories by Joseph Labernik
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 JuliaN. 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