Yale Series of Younger Poets
The oldest annual literary award in the United States, publishing a first book of poetry since 1919.
About the Yale Younger Poets
The Yale Series of Younger Poets is the oldest annual literary award in the United States, established in 1919. It publishes a first book of poetry by a poet under 40 years of age who has not had a book of poetry published previously.
The winner is selected by a distinguished poet serving as series judge. Past judges have included W.H. Auden, Stanley Kunitz, James Dickey, and Louise Gluck.
Eligibility Requirements
- Poet must be under 40 years of age at time of submission
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Must not have had a book of poetry published previously
- Chapbooks (under 48 pages) don't disqualify
Prize
The winning manuscript is published by Yale University Press. The poet receives a cash prize and a standard royalty contract.
Notable Past Winners
The series has launched the careers of many major American poets including Muriel Rukeyser, Adrienne Rich, John Ashbery, W.S. Merwin, and Carolyn Forche.