Poets' Prize
ぽえっつしょう
Awarded annually for the best book of verse by a living American poet published two years prior to the award year.
PoetryAmerican poetry awardsBook award
- Established
- 1988
- Organizer
- Poets' Prize committee (a committee of about 20 American poets); awards reception hosted by the Nicholas Roerich Museum
- Category
- Poetry and Contemporary Poetry
- Selection Method
- Recommendation
- Target
- Professional
- Frequency
- 1 per year
- Announcement Period
- around May
- Status
- Active
Description
The Poets' Prize is awarded annually for the best book of verse published by a living American poet two years prior to the award year. The $3,000 annual prize is donated by a committee of about 20 American poets, who each nominate two books and who also serve as judges. The Nicholas Roerich Museum in New York City hosts the annual awards reception in May, which includes readings by the winner and finalists. Founders include Robert McDowell, Frederick Morgan, and Louis Simpson; current co-chairs listed in the source are Robert Archambeau and Marc Vincenz.
Prize
- Main Prize
- Annual cash prize of $3,000 awarded to the winner; includes recognition and a reading at the awards reception.
- Cash Prize
- 3,000 USD
- Annual awards reception in May (Nicholas Roerich Museum)
- Readings by the winner and finalists
- Recognition among a committee of American poets
Selection
Selection Process
| Stage | Judges | Pass Rate | Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nomination | Committee of about 20 American poets; each member nominates two books | — | — |
| Deliberation / Selection | The same committee deliberates and votes to choose the winner(s) | — | — |
| Announcement | Poets' Prize committee | — | Winner(s) announced at the annual awards reception in May (hosted by the Nicholas Roerich Museum); also publicized via press releases |
Nomination
Judges
Committee of about 20 American poets; each member nominates two books
Deliberation / Selection
Judges
The same committee deliberates and votes to choose the winner(s)
Announcement
Judges
Poets' Prize committee
Announcement
Winner(s) announced at the annual awards reception in May (hosted by the Nicholas Roerich Museum); also publicized via press releases
Criteria
- Best book of verse
- Author must be a living American poet
- Book must have been published two years prior to the award year
- Literary quality, originality, and overall achievement of the book-length work
Application Tips
Dos
- Confirm that the book was published in the eligible year (two years before the award year)
- Enhance the unity and completeness of the entire book
- Aim for publication with a reputable publisher (this award centers on committee nominations)
- Be mindful of the structure and flow as a collection of works
Don''ts
- Mistakenly assume there is an open call and try to submit directly (primarily selected by committee nomination)
- Incorrectly declare the publication year or author information
- Rely only on short-term marketing measures
From Judges
- Emphasis is placed on a consistent vision or voice throughout the entire book
- A balance of technique and originality is evaluated
- Not just the quality of individual pieces, but the strength of the entire collection is appreciated
Related Awards
- American poetry awards
- List of poetry awards
- List of literary awards