The Robert Dana-Anhinga Prize for Poetry

2012 Contest Winner Announced

2013 marks the 30th Anniversary of the Anhinga Prize for Poetry (two years ago Robert Dana’s name was added to the prize's name). It will also mark the first substantial content change in the prize's long history. In 2013, the Prize will no longer be restricted to poets with first or second books, but will be open to all poets writing in English.

The Anhinga Prize for Poetry has been offered annually since 1983 for a manuscript of original poetry in English. The competition is open to writers from all regions. The winner will receive $2000 and a reading tour of selected Florida colleges and universities, and the winning manuscript will be published by Anhinga Press.

Contest manuscripts are screened by qualified readers appointed by the Press. Past judges include, Robert Dana, Allison Joseph, Diane Wakoski, Naomi Shihab Nye, and Brian Turner. Past winners of the Prize include Judith Kitchen, Janet Holmes, Frank X. Gaspar, Julia Levine, Keith Ratzlaff, Ken Hart, and Rhett Iseman Trull.

Contest results are announced in November on our website and published in Poets & Writers, The Writers' Chronicle, New Pages, and other writer's magazines. The winning book is usually published about one year after its selection.

Anhinga Press subscribes to the principles laid out in the Contest Code of Ethics adopted by the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP):

CLMP's community of independent literary publishers believes that ethical contests serve our shared goal: to connect writers and readers by publishing exceptional writing. We believe that intent to act ethically, clarity of guidelines, and transparency of process form the foundation of an ethical contest. To that end, we agree:

1. to conduct our contests as ethically as possible and to address any unethical behavior on the part of our readers, judges, or editors;
2. to provide clear and specific contest guidelines -- defining conflict of interest for all parties involved; and
3. to make the mechanics of our selection process available to the public.

This Code recognizes that different contest models produce different results, but that each model can be run ethically. We have adopted this Code to reinforce our integrity and dedication as a publishing community and to ensure that our contests contribute to a vibrant literary heritage.

To see a list of past winners of the Robert Dana-Anhinga Prize, including links to more detailed information about each, see our Series page.

Contest Rules

The award is open to all poets regardless of the number of books published. Entries must be original poetry in English; however, a few translations in a manuscript are acceptable. Poems previously published in journals and anthologies should be accompanied by an acknowledgments page. Authors may submit multiple manuscripts if each one is accompanied by the reading fee. Previously submitted manuscripts and manuscripts under consideration by other publishers are also eligible. Should your manuscript be accepted by another press, please notify us as soon as possible.

• Each submission must be accompanied by a $25 reading fee. Please make checks payable to Anhinga Press.
• Do not put your name on your manuscript. Instead, make two title pages -- one with the manuscript title, your name, address, email address, and phone number; and a second title page with only the manuscript's title.
• Manuscripts must be 48-80 pages, excluding front matter. They may be single- or double-spaced.
• For contest results please see our website. Please do not send SASE for results.
• Submissions will be accepted from February 15 until May 15 (postmark).
• Manuscripts will not be returned. Please keep copies of your work. Please do not use a form of mail delivery which requires a signature by the addressee.

We do not accept emailed manuscripts.

Send manuscripts to:

Anhinga Prize for Poetry
PO Box 3665
Tallahassee, FL 32315

For more information about the contest and Anhinga Press, please visit our Web site at www.anhinga.org. Anhinga Press books are distributed by Small Press Distribution, carried by many independent bookstores, available on our website and online from Amazon and Barnes and Noble.