2024 Anhinga Prize for Poetry

Contest Rules

The winner receives $1000, 25 author copies, and a 50% discount on books. We will also offer an online reading for the winner. 

The award is open to all U.S. poets writing in English. Entrants do not need previous publications or degrees in poetry and writing to submit.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

• Submit your manuscript between Feb 15 to May 31, 2024 
• Each submission must be accompanied by a $28 reading fee. 
• Manuscripts must be 48-100 pages, excluding front matter. Single spaced submissions are preferred for poetry MS.
• Do not include your name on your manuscript. Submittable will add your name to your file.
• The winning book is usually published about one year after its selection.
• A limited number of waivers (10) for a reduced fee ($5 fee) are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Email info@anhinga.org to apply — include a narrative explaining your situation and why you want to publish with Anhinga Press.  
• The finalists and winner are announced on our website, and in social media, The winner is announced in Poets & Writers.
• Past judges include Ching-in Chen, Joy Harjo, Evie Shockley, Allison Joseph, Diane Wakoski, Naomi Shihab Nye, Major Jackson, and Brian Turner.
• Past winners of the Prize include: Joaquin Zihuatanejo, Hauntie, Elizabeth A.I. Powell, Robin Beth Schaer, Frank X. Gaspar, Julia Levine, and Erika Meitner.

Entries must be original poetry in English. Poems previously published in journals and anthologies should be accompanied by an acknowledgments page. Authors may submit multiple manuscripts if each one is accompanied by the reading fee. Previously submitted manuscripts and manuscripts under consideration by other publishers are also eligible. Should your manuscript be accepted by another press, please notify us as soon as possible.

The Anhinga Prize for Poetry has been offered annually since 1983 for a manuscript of original poetry in English.

Contest manuscripts are screened by qualified readers appointed by the Press. Past judges include, Eduardo C. Corral, Evie Shockley, Jan Beatty, Denise Duhamel, and Maureen Seaton. Past winners of the Prize include Ken Hart, Rhett Iseman Trull, Anna Ross, Bethany Schultz Hurst, Robin Beth Schaer and Elizabeth A.I. Powell, Hauntie, and Joaquin Zihuatanejo. 

Anhinga Press subscribes to the principles laid out in the Contest Code of Ethics adopted by the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP):

 CLMP's community of independent literary publishers believes that ethical contests serve our shared goal: to connect writers and readers by publishing exceptional writing. We believe that intent to act ethically, clarity of guidelines, and transparency of process form the foundation of an ethical contest. To that end, we agree:

1. to conduct our contests as ethically as possible and to address any unethical behavior on the part of our readers, judges, or editors;

2. to provide clear and specific contest guidelines -- defining conflict of interest for all parties involved; and. 3. to make the mechanics of our selection process available to the public.

This Code recognizes that different contest models produce different results, but that each model can be run ethically. We have adopted this Code to reinforce our integrity and dedication as a publishing community and to ensure that our contests contribute to a vibrant literary heritage.