2008 Stan and Tom Wick Poetry Prize

Judge: Stephen Dunn

$2,000 for a First Book of Poems

This prize is offered annually to a poet who has not previously published a full-length collection of poems. The winner receives $2000 and the winning volume will be published by the Kent State University Press in Fall 2009. The winner will give a reading with Stephen Dunn, the 2008 judge of the competition, on the Kent State campus.  In 2007, the winner was Far from Algiers by Djelloul Marbrook chosen by Toi Derricotte.

Entry Requirements:

• The competition is open to poets writing in English who have not yet published a full-length collection of poems (a volume of 50 or more pages published in an edition of 500 or more copies).
• There is a $20 reading fee. Checks should be made payable to the Wick Poetry Center.
• Submissions must consist of 50 to 70 pages of poetry,typed on one side only, with no more than one poem included on a page. Only clean, legible copies are acceptable.
• The poet's name is not to appear on the manuscript. Two title pages should be included. The first must include the poet's name, address, e-mail, telephone number, and the title of the manuscript; the second should list the title of the manuscript only. Entries are judged anonymously.
• The manuscript may be submitted simultaneously to other publishers, but the poet must notify the Wick Poetry Center immediately if the manuscript is accepted for publication elsewhere.
• All manuscripts will be recycled after judging. For notice that the manuscript has been received, enclose a self-addressed, stamped postcard. For notice of the winning selection, enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The winner will be announced late in the summer of 2008.
• Manuscripts must be postmarked between February 1, 2008 and May 1, 2008. No late entries will be read.

Entries should be sent to:

Stan and Tom Wick Poetry Prize, Wick Poetry Center, 301 Satterfield Hall, Kent State University, P.O. Box 5190, Kent, OH 44242-0001