Agha Shahid Ali Prize in Poetry

"The world is full of paper. Write to me."
—Agha Shahid Ali, "Stationery"

Honoring the memory of a celebrated poet and a beloved teacher, the Agha Shahid Ali Prize in Poetry is awarded annually and is sponsored by The University of Utah Press and The University of Utah Department of English. $1,000 Cash Prize and Publication from the Press; $500 and reading in The University of Utah's Guest Writers Series from The University of Utah Department of English.

Prize Submission Guidelines

We are now on Submittable . Click here to submit electronically or copy and paste the following link: https://uofupress.submittable.com/submit/183228/2022-agha-shahid-ali-poetry-prize. Create a Submittable account and submit in PDF form.

Manuscripts must be in English and should be between 48 and 100 pages.

Manuscripts must be in English and in a 12-point font and should include contemplated images. Photocopies of images are acceptable for initial consideration.
Manuscript length is limited to a maximum of 100 pages. The minimum requirement is 48 pages.
Manuscripts must be postmarked or submitted between February 1 through April 15, 2023. Early submissions are encouraged. If you desire proof of receipt, send the manuscript using a delivery confirmation service.
The nonrefundable reading fee of $25 will be paid during electronic submissions.
Submitted poems may have appeared previously in journals, anthologies, but the collection as a whole must be previously unpublished. This includes chapbooks.
The competition is open to poets who have previously published book-length poetry collections, as well as to unpublished poets.
Current and former students of The University of Utah and of the finalist judge may not enter. Current and former employees of The University of Utah Press are not eligible for the prize. We support the CLMP Code of Ethics.
Simultaneous submissions are permitted; however, entrants must notify the Press immediately if the collection submitted is accepted for publication elsewhere during the competition.
All submissions should include a cover sheet providing complete contact information, including name, address, telephone, and email address. No other identifying information should be included on the title page or on the manuscript itself. This includes acknowledgements.

This year's judge is Joan Naviyuk Kane .

Agha Shahid Ali Prize

The winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize and the winning collection will be published by The University of Utah Press in the spring/summer of 2024. The winner will give a reading in the University of Utah's Guest Writers Series, reading to take place during the fall or spring following publication. Travel and accommodations and an additional $500 honorarium are paid by The University of Utah Department of English.

You can contact Hannah New with any questions at hannah.new@utah.edu.

WE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTING MAILED-IN HARD COPIES THIS YEAR; ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST BE ELECTRONIC THROUGH SUBMITTABLE.COM

2022 Prize Winner

Beatrice Szymkowiak has been selected by Monica Youn as the 2022 winner of the Agha Shahid Ali Poetry Prize for her collection https://uofupress.lib.utah.edu/b-rds/. The volume will be published in Spring 2023.