What Is The May Sarton Poetry Prize?
The May Sarton Poetry Prize was established in 1992 at the University of New Hampshire in tribute to the late poet and journal-keeper, May Sarton.
This award is given annually to a poet who has not yet achieved great recognition for their work. The winning poet is awarded a cash prize of $1000 USD as well as publication of their work in the literary journal West Branch.
The award is judged by a rotating panel of distinguished poets in higher education, and the current editors of West Branch. Each year, the panel selects a poet whose work best honors May Sarton’s enduring originality, insight, and beautiful observations of the human condition.
While the prize was established to celebrate May Sarton’s lifework, any poet of any age or location is eligible to submit a collection of poems for consideration. There are no restrictions or guidelines on the style of poetry, or the subject matter of the poems. Submissions can be made either in English or in French, and can be in any form – traditional or experimental.
The May Sarton Poetry Prize is an exceptional opportunity for emerging poets to gain recognition for their work. It can be a positive and life-changing experience for recipients, as it allows them to not only gain recognition for their literary efforts, but also to have their work published in a well-respected literary journal.
The award provides poets with a platform to showcase their work and to share their words with a larger audience. In many cases, poets who have received the award have gone on to have their work published in collaborative book projects and have secured other opportunities as well.
The May Sarton Poetry Prize is an important part of the New England literary community, and it allows poets to gain the recognition and recognition they deserve.
Submission Requirements
The requirements for submitting work to the May Sarton Poetry Prize are fairly straightforward. Entries must consist of a book-length manuscript of at least 40 pages of original poetry in English or French.
All entries must include a current biographical statement, as well as a short artistic statement of the poet’s intention with their work or of how the writer’s submission fits into the spirit of the May Sarton Poetry Award.
Poets should also include a cover letter addressing the editors, with the poet’s name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address. Finalists who are selected may be asked to provide additional information or a copy of their manuscript for the panel’s reference.
The deadline for submissions is generally the beginning of each September, and the winner is announced in March of the following year.
Benefits for Recipients and the Literary Community
The May Sarton Poetry Prize is not just a boon to the winning poet – it is also a recognition of the care and attention to literature that New England has paid since the days of May Sarton’s work.
The award helps to foster a spirit of creativity and expression within the region, and encourages readers to actively engage with poetry in all its forms. By recognizing the work of poets who have not yet gained wider recognition, the May Sarton Poetry Prize helps to affirm the fundamental importance of literature and the value of the written word.
The prize also helps to encourage poets to continue writing and to pursue their craft despite the relative obscurity of their work. Emerging poets have the opportunity to have their unique voice and perspective shared, and to have their work featured in a well-respected literary journal.
The May Sarton Poetry Prize is, therefore, an invaluable tool for both the winning poets and for the New England literary community as a whole.
Recent Winners Of The May Sarton Poetry Prize
Recent winners of the May Sarton Poetry Prize have included Riga Forbes, who won in 2012 for her collection of poems “Rhylice”; Gary McDowell, who won in 2017 for his collection of poems “Spring on a Polar Field”; and Monica Youn, who won in 2018 for her collection of poems “Blackacre”.
Each of these collections of poems were praised by the panel of judges for their unique and intricate language, their sharp observations of the human experience, and their subtly powerful messages.
Both Riga Forbes and Monica Youn have since gone on to receive wider recognition for their work, reflecting the success of the May Sarton Poetry Prize in helping emerging poets to gain recognition for their work.
Popularity Of The May Sarton Poetry Prize
The May Sarton Poetry Prize has established itself as an important part of the New England literary landscape, and continues to attract a large number of poets each year. The prize is well-regarded within the literary community, and is seen as a valuable opportunity for writers to gain recognition for their work.
The prize has endured for over two decades, and continues to draw attention to emerging poets who have yet to make a name for themselves. Perhaps most importantly, it carries with it the legacy of May Sarton, and helps to remind readers of the importance of literature and the value of the written word.
Marketing Opportunities for Recipients
Winning the May Sarton Poetry Prize can open up a number of marketing opportunities for recipients. For example, the prize is often featured in local media outlets, and can give poets an additional platform to promote their work.
Additionally, the prize opens up doors to potential collaboration opportunities with other poets, presses, and journals. In many cases, winners of the prize have taken advantage of these opportunities to secure book projects and to gain wider exposure for their work.
Finally, the prize can help to establish a poet’s reputation within the wider literary community. By having their work recognized by such a prestigious prize, poets can showcase their talent to a larger audience and potentially open up new avenues of recognition.
Conclusion
The May Sarton Poetry Prize is an important part of the New England literary landscape. It provides an invaluable opportunity for emerging poets to gain recognition for their work, and it helps to foster a spirit of creativity and expression within the region. By recognizing the efforts of lesser-known poets, the prize helps to affirm the importance of literature and the power of the written word.
