Prizes Sponsored by Poets & Writers
"Poets & Writers Magazine is "a delight for writers and readers alike."
– Library Journal
The Jackson Poetry Prize
The Jackson Poetry Prize, established in 2006, honors an American poet of exceptional talent who has published at least one book of recognized literary merit but has not yet received major national acclaim. The $50,000 prize is designed to provide what all poets need—time and the encouragement to write. There is no application process for the Jackson Poetry Prize—nominees are identified by a group of poets selected by Poets & Writers who remain anonymous; final selection is made by a panel of esteemed poets.
The Jackson Poetry Prize is made possible by a significant gift from
the Liana Foundation.
The Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award
Initiated in 1984, the Writers Exchange Award provides two emerging writers
with an all-expenses-paid trip to New York where P&W arranges meetings
with agents, editors, and prominent authors. The winners' visit culminates
in a public reading in Manhattan.
Each year, two writers from one state are invited to submit
manuscripts to Poets & Writers. To date, 76 writers from 30 states have
received the Writers Exchange Award. Many of the winners have gone on to
get their books published, receive other awards, and secure teaching positions.
In 2007, a special grant enabled P&W to offer the Writers Exchange to
two writers from California. Two writers from Missouri also received the
Writers Exchange Award this year.
Writers who live in Tenessee are invited to apply
for the 2009 Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award.
The Amy Award
The Amy Award is presented to women poets age 30 and under living in
the New York City metropolitan area or on Long Island. Winners receive
an honorarium and a reading in New York City. The award was established
by Paula Trachtman and Edward Butscher of East Hampton, New York in memory
of Ms. Trachtman's daughter, Amy Rothholz, an actor and poet. Contestants
are required to submit three lyric poems of up to 50 lines each, a brief
biography, and a SASE. The deadline for submission to the annual
contest is June 1. Winners are announced by September 1 of each year.
Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award
Established in 1996, the Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award,
which is presented at P&W's annual dinner, recognizes authors
who have given generously to other writers or to the broader
literary community. Honorees are nominated by a committee
composed of past winners, other prominent writers, and the Board of Directors
of Poets & Writers.
Title of the award has been given to Barnes & Noble in appreciation
of their extraordinary support of Poets & Writers.
View a list of past winners.
For comprehensive information on grants, awards, and contests sponsored
by other organizations please visit Grants & Awards.
