2021 Poetry Society of America Awards

Award 1
The Writer Magazine/Emily Dickinson Award
Judged by Deborah Paredez
$250

For a poem inspired by Emily Dickinson, though not necessarily in her style.

Award 2
Cecil Hemley Memorial Award
Judged by Martha Collins
$500

For a lyric poem that addresses a philosophical or epistemological concern.

Established by Jack Stadler, former Treasurer of the PSA, and his late wife, Ralynn Stadler.

Award 3
Lyric Poetry Award
Judged by Camonghne Felix
$500

For a lyric poem on any subject.

Established under the will of PSA member Mrs. Consuelo Ford (Althea Urn), and also in memory of Mary Carolyn Davies.

Award 4
Lucille Medwick Memorial Award
Judged by Amit Majmudar
$500

For an original poem in any form on a humanitarian theme.

Established by Maury Medwick in memory of his wife, the poet and editor.

Award 5
Alice Fay Di Castagnola Award
Judged by Elisa Gabbert
$1,000

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.

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.

Award 6
George Bogin Memorial Award
Judged by Shane McCrae
$500

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 George Bogin.

Award 7
Robert H. Winner Memorial Award
Judged by Heid E. Erdrich
$2,500

For a manuscript of 10 pages by a mid-career by a 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 book 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.

Established by the family and friends of Robert H. Winner, whose first book of poems appeared when he was almost fifty years old.