annual awards

Poetry Society of America Awards for 2026 are open. Prizes range from $250-$2,500.

**Award 1
The Writer Magazine/Emily Dickinson Award
**For a short poem, no longer than 16 lines.
Judged by Suzanne Buffam

**Award 2
Cecil Hemley Memorial Award
**For a narrative poem.
Judged by Diannely Antigua

Award 3
Lyric Poetry Award
For a lyric poem on any subject.
Judged by José Olivarez

**Award 4
Lucille Medwick Memorial Award
**For a prose poem.
Judged by Kay Gabriel

**Award 5
Alice Fay Di Castagnola Award
**For 10 pages of poetry from a manuscript-in-progress.
Previously published poems are acceptable; include acknowledgment of publications on your cover sheet. Poems entered as part of a Di Castagnola manuscript may be entered individually in other PSA awards, if they haven’t been previously published.
Judged by Geoffrey Nutter
Award 6
George Bogin Memorial Award
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.
Judged by Niki Herd
Award 7
Robert H. Winner Memorial Award
For a manuscript of 10 pages by a mid-career poet who has not had substantial recognition. Open to poets 40 and over who have published no more than one full-length collection of poetry. Poets who have not published a poetry collection are eligible.
Previously published poems are acceptable; include acknowledgment of publications on your cover sheet. Poems entered as part of a Winner manuscript may be entered individually in other PSA awards, if they haven’t been previously published.
Judged by Michael Dickman