College of Arts & Sciences
Department of English
Department of English

Writing Awards

Each year Georgetown students are eligible to submit entries for the following writing awards. See submission guidelines below.

The Awards

The Annabelle Bonner Medal

For short fiction that demonstrates technical skill and promise in the art of the short story or narrative (no longer than 7,500 words; open to seniors only, in any college or program).

The Ora Mary Pelham Poetry Prize

(Cash award & one year membership to the Academy of American Poets)

For the most outstanding poem or group of poems (a “group” may not consist of more than five poems; any group of poems should be saved together in one PDF; open to undergraduate and graduate students).

The Lynch Pendergast Medal

For the best essay on any topic in the discipline of English (no longer than 5,000 words; open to juniors and seniors only).

The Quicksall Medal

For the best essay on Shakespearean drama (no longer than 5,000 words; open to undergraduates only).

The Bernard M. Wagner Medal

For excellence in writing in any genre except drama (no longer than 7,500 words; fiction, nonfiction and poetry; open to College freshmen, sophomores, and juniors only).

Submission Guidelines

Entries not adhering to all of the guidelines will be automatically disqualified.

  1. Entries are currently closed but will be opened in Fall 2025 for the 25-26 Awards.
     
  2. The form will ask for the following identifying information:
    • Your Name
    • Your School (e.g., CAS, SFS, etc.)
    • Year of Graduation
    • Email Address
    • Phone Number (optional)
    • Mailing Address
    • Name of award(s) you are entering submissions for this year
    • Title of the work(s) submitted
       
  3. A separate section on the form will ask you to upload a PDF of each of your entries by award.
    • The PDF should include a cover sheet with the title of your entry.
    • DO NOT include your name anywhere in or on the attachment
    • Please save the PDF with the following title format: “Award Name_Title of Entry”
      • i.e. Pendergast_Global Pictures
      • The awards may be abbreviated to the following: Bonner, Pelham, Pendergast, Quicksall, and Wagner
  1. You can submit up to two (2) entries for each award. 
  2. All work must have been written during your time as a Georgetown student. 
  3. A note on Anonymity: Upon submission, Google Forms now automatically adds your name at the end of your attached files. To maintain anonymity, these names will be removed by the Writing Awards admin prior to review by the judges. Do not be alarmed by this automatic process, as it will not affect your anonymity. Only including your name in the text of the file itself will disqualify you. Please be attentive to fully anonymize your submission before upload.
  4. The judges for the awards are kept anonymous.

Helpful Contacts & Information

Riggs Library Interior

If you have any questions about completing this form, please email Chris Doyle (Christopher.Doyle@georgetown.edu). Please contact Chris directly with any questions or concerns.

Current submissions are closed.

Past Award Winners