Pulitzer Prize for Poetry

ぴゅーりっつぁーしょう（し）

The poetry category of the Pulitzer Prize, awarded to outstanding American poetry. First awarded in 1922.

PoetryLetters, Drama and Music

Established: 1922
Organizer: The Pulitzer Prizes (Columbia University / Pulitzer Prize Board)
Category: Poetry and Contemporary Poetry
Selection Method: Open call
Target: Open
Frequency: 1 per year
Announcement Period: around May
Status: Active

Description

The Pulitzer Prize for Poetry is one of America's major awards, given annually for distinguished poetry collections (original volumes of verse). Before its official establishment in 1922, special poetry awards were given in 1918 and 1919. Eligible works are original poetry books, typically published in the previous calendar year. Since 1980, finalists (usually three, including the winner) are announced as a rule, with exceptions such as two winners in one year (e.g., 2008) or no award (1946). The selection process involves preliminary judging by expert judges (poets, scholars, etc.) and final decision by the Pulitzer Prize Board, with winners announced on the official website and various media.

Prize

Main Prize: Prestigious award for poetry collections (official citation and cash prize awarded to the winning work). Historically, a $1,000 cash prize was established in the early years.
Cash Prize: 1,000 USD

Official citation
Recognition as finalist
Prestige of the Pulitzer

Selection

Selection Process

Stage	Judges	Pass Rate	Announcement
Candidate selection by judges (preliminary round)	Specialist judging panel (poets, scholars, etc.). Historically, around three judges review candidates.	—	Finalists (candidates) are announced on the official website and press (finalist announcement customary since 1980).
Final decision by Pulitzer Prize Board (final round)	The Pulitzer Prize Board approves and selects the winning work.	—	Winners are officially announced on the Pulitzer website and various media.
Announcement and award ceremony	Not applicable (announcement by administration/board)	—	Announced on the official website and media on the official announcement date. Award ceremony or related events may be held.

Candidate selection by judges (preliminary round)

Judges Specialist judging panel (poets, scholars, etc.). Historically, around three judges review candidates.

Announcement Finalists (candidates) are announced on the official website and press (finalist announcement customary since 1980).

Final decision by Pulitzer Prize Board (final round)

Judges The Pulitzer Prize Board approves and selects the winning work.

Announcement Winners are officially announced on the Pulitzer website and various media.

Announcement and award ceremony

Judges Not applicable (announcement by administration/board)

Announcement Announced on the official website and media on the official announcement date. Award ceremony or related events may be held.

Criteria

Work by American nationals (or authors primarily based in the US)
Original poetry collection (in English)
Published in the previous calendar year
Literary excellence (poetic voice, originality of expression, overall achievement)

Application Tips

Dos

Confirm that the entry is an 'original poetry collection published in the previous calendar year'
Follow official entry procedures under the responsibility of the publisher or author (comply with rules)
Ensure unity and poetic voice throughout the collection, and proofread meticulously

Don''ts

Do not submit after the deadline
Do not submit translations or works not meeting publication year requirements
Do not neglect deficiencies in application documents (metadata, errors in submission info)

From Judges

Judges emphasize 'poetic voice' and 'lyricism, originality of expression, overall achievement' (key points from citation)
Tend to evaluate cohesion and depth as a collection, not isolated fine poems
Both technical perfection in poetry and emotional authenticity lead to high evaluation