Poetry Awards
Comprehensive guide to awards for poets. From the Pulitzer Prize to first book competitions, discover prizes for poetry collections and individual poems.
About Poetry Awards
Poetry awards recognize excellence in verse across forms and styles. Major awards include the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, T.S. Eliot Prize, and the National Book Award for Poetry. Many awards focus on poetry collections, while others honor individual poems or lifetime achievement.
First book awards are particularly important for emerging poets, with competitions like the Yale Series of Younger Poets, Walt Whitman Award, and Cave Canem Prize launching many successful careers.
Major Poetry Awards
Pulitzer Prize for Poetry
America's most prestigious poetry award for a distinguished volume of original verse by an American author. Prize: $15,000
T.S. Eliot Prize
UK's most prestigious poetry prize for the best new collection. Prize: £25,000
National Book Award for Poetry
One of America's most prestigious literary awards with a dedicated poetry category. Prize: $10,000
Griffin Poetry Prize
World's largest prize for a first edition poetry collection. International and Canadian prizes. Prize: CAD $130,000
Forward Prizes for Poetry
Major UK awards with categories for Best Collection, Best First Collection, and Best Single Poem.
First Book Poetry Awards
Awards for debut poetry collections are crucial stepping stones for emerging poets.
Yale Series of Younger Poets
Oldest annual literary award in the US, publishing a first book of poetry since 1919.
Walt Whitman Award
Academy of American Poets award for a first book of poetry. Prize: $5,000 + publication
Cave Canem Poetry Prize
First book award for African American poets.
National Poetry Series
Selects five manuscripts for publication by participating publishers annually.
Career & Lifetime Achievement Awards
Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize
One of the largest prizes for lifetime achievement in American poetry. Prize: $100,000
Frost Medal
Poetry Society of America's highest honor recognizing distinguished lifetime service to American poetry.
Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry
British royal honor awarded for a body of work rather than a single book.
Poetry Awards FAQ
What are the most prestigious poetry awards?
The Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and the T.S. Eliot Prize are considered the most prestigious in the US and UK respectively. The Griffin Poetry Prize is the world's largest poetry prize by monetary value.
How do first book poetry contests work?
Most first book contests accept manuscript submissions from poets who haven't published a full-length collection. Winners receive publication and often cash prizes. Entry fees typically range from $25-30.
Can self-published poetry win awards?
Some awards accept self-published collections, though major prizes like the Pulitzer typically require traditional publication. The IPPY Awards and Independent Publisher awards welcome indie poetry.
What is a chapbook vs. full-length collection?
A chapbook is typically 20-40 pages, while a full-length collection is usually 48+ pages. Many awards differentiate between these formats, with separate chapbook competitions.