Annual Awards
The PSA will be accepting submissions from October 1, to December 22, 2011.
Winners of the awards will be announced by the end of March 2012.
Become a Member of the Poetry Society of America and enter awards 1-9 for free.
Awards
PSA Member Awards
Awards 1-5 are open only to PSA Members$250
Given by the PSA to honor the memory and poetry of Emily Dickinson, for a poem inspired by Dickinson though not necessarily in her style.
$500
Established by Jack Stadler, former Treasurer of the PSA, and his late wife, Ralynn Stadler, for a lyric poem that addresses a philosophical or epistemological concern.
Established under the will of PSA member Mrs. Consuelo Ford (Althea Urn), and also in memory of Mary Carolyn Davies, for a lyric poem on any subject.
Established by Maury Medwick in memory of his wife, the poet and editor, for an original poem in any form on a humanitarian theme.
$1,000
Offered in memory of a benefactor and friend of the PSA, and partially endowed by the Estate of Rachel Dalven, and the estate of Ellen Lamon Anderson, for a manuscript-in-progress of poetry or verse-drama. Previously published work may be included in your submission; include acknowledgment of publications on your cover page. Poems entered as part of a Di Castagnola manuscript may be entered individually in other PSA contests, but NOT if they are previously published. Note: There are two cover pages for this award, one of which is anonymous and includes a one-paragraph description of the collection or project. Page limit: 15 pages or less.
PSA Member/Non-Member Awards
Awards 6-11 are open to all eligible poets and publishers
Endowed under the wills of Louise Louis Whitbread and Ruth M. Bourne, this prize is awarded for the best unpublished poem by a student in grades 9 through 12 from the United States. Teachers or administrators may submit an unlimited number of their students' poems (one submission per student-see Entry Fees, in Guidelines).
Established by the family and friends of George Bogin for a selection of four or five poems that use language in an original way to reflect the encounter of the ordinary and the extraordinary and to take a stand against oppression in any of its forms.
Established by the family and friends of Robert H. Winner, whose first book of poems appeared when he was almost fifty years old. This award acknowledges original work being done in mid-career by a poet who has not had substantial recognition, and is open to poets over forty who have published no more than one book. Send a brief but cohesive manuscript of 10 poems (up to 20 pages). Please include year of birth on cover page. Previously published work may be included in your submission; include acknowledgment of publications on your cover page. Poems entered as part of a Winner manuscript may be entered individually in other PSA contests, but NOT if they are previously published.
In memory of Louis Hammer, established by friends of the poet, translator, and editor, for a distinguished poem in the surrealist manner.
Book Awards
Books must be submitted directly by publishers. Entry forms are required.
Download Book Entry Form (PDF)
Please email or call Brett Fletcher Lauer, Managing Director, at the PSA, (brett@poetrysociety.org; 212-254-9628) if you have any questions. There is a $20 entry fee per book. No book may be submitted to both contests.
$500
Established by the family and friends of Norma Farber, poet and author of children's books, for a first book of original poetry written by an American and published in either a hard or soft cover in a standard edition in 2011. Translations are ineligible, as are chapbooks. Winning books are distributed to PSA members at the Second Century Friend level and above.
Purchase Prize Between $500 and $1,000
Endowed by the family and friends of Geraldine Clinton Little, a poet and author of short stories and former vice-president of the PSA, for a book of poetry written by a single author who is a permanent resident of the United States. The book must be published by a small press, non-profit, or university press in a standard edition in 2011. Translations are ineligible, as are chapbooks. Winning books are distributed to PSA members at the Second Century Friend level and above.
