The 2007 Agnes Lynch Starrett Poetry Prize Competition

The University of Pittsburgh Press announces the Agnes Lynch Starrett Poetry Prize for a first full-length book of poems. Named after the first director of the Press, the prize carries a cash award of $5,000 and publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press in the Pitt Poetry Series under its standard royalty contract. The winner will be announced in the fall; no information about the winner will be released before the fall announcement. The Starrett Prize is our only venue for first-book poetry manuscripts.

The volume of manuscripts received prevents the Press from offering critiques or entering into correspondence about manuscripts other than the one chosen for publication.

Manuscripts submitted to the contest will not be returned. Please keep a copy of the manuscript.

Past Winners of the Agnes Lynch Starret Poetry Prize

Eligibility

The award is open to any poet writing in English who has not had a full-length book published previously.  We define "full-length book" as a volume of 48 or more pages published in an edition of 750 or more copies. Books whose publication costs have been borne by their authors are excluded from this definition. University of Pittsburgh employees, former employees, current students, and those who have been students within the last three years are not eligible for the award.

Format for Submissions

Please send one copy of your manuscript on good quality white paper, with no fewer than 48 and no more than 100 typescript pages.  Clean, legible photocopies are acceptable.  Your name, address, phone number, and email address should be on your title page. These are our only format requirements. Please also include your curriculum vitae.

Results will be announced in major poetry and writing magazines once a winner has been chosen. Enclose a self-addressed stamped postcard for acknowledgment of receipt and a SASE for contest results.

Fee for Submission

Each manuscript must be accompanied by a check or money order in U.S. dollars for $25.00 payable to "University of Pittsburgh Press."

Multiple Submissions

Manuscripts being considered by other publishers are allowed, but if a manuscript is accepted for publication elsewhere, please notify the Press in writing.

Dates for Submission

Manuscripts must be received during March and April 2007. That is, they must be postmarked on or after March 1 and on or before April 30. The address for submissions is:

Agnes Lynch Starrett Poetry Prize
University of Pittsburgh Press
Eureka Building, Fifth Floor
3400 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15260

PAST WINNERS OF THE AGNES LYNCH STARRETT POETRY PRIZE

Year Author Title (books in print are linked) 2005 Rick Hilles Brother Salvage: Poems 2004 Aaron Smith Blue on Blue Ground 2003 David Shumate High Water Mark 2002 Shao Wei Pulling a Dragon's Teeth 2001 Gabriel Gudding A Defense of Poetry 2000 Quan Barry Asylum 1999 Daisy Fried She Didn't Mean To Do It 1998 Shara McCallum The Water Between Us 1997 Richard Blanco City of a Hundred Fires 1996 Helen Conkling Red Peony Night 1995 Sandy Solomon Pears, Lake, Sun 1994 Jan Beatty Mad River 1993 Natasha Saj Red Under the Skin 1992 Hunt Hawkins The Domestic Life 1991 Julia Kasdorf Sleeping Preacher 1990 Debra Allbery Walking Distance 1989 Nancy Vieira Couto The Face in the Water 1988 Maxine Scates Toluca Street 1987 David Rivard Torque 1986 Robley Wilson Kingdoms of the Ordinary 1985 Liz Rosenberg The Fire Music 1984 Arthur Smith Elegy on Independence Day 1983 Kate Daniels The White Wave 1982 Lawrence Joseph Shouting at No One 1981 Kathy Calloway Heart of the Garfish

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