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