The WASHINGTON PRIZE

In 1981, Karren Alenier, Deirdra Baldwin, Jim Beall, and Robert Sargent created the Washington Prize, a United States national literary competition awarding $1000 to an American poet. In 1999 the prize award was increased to $1500. From 1981 to 1987 winning poems were published in a full-page ad in Poets & Writers magazine. In 1988, the prize progressed from a single poem competiton to a book-length manuscript award. Washington area poets read and judge contest entries blind. Literary merit is the sole criterion. As a book publication award, the Washington Prize has given The Word Works national recognition and has increased distribution.

In 1999, The Word Works published WINNERS: A RETROSPECTIVE OF THE WASHINGTON PRIZE, an anthology of poems, anecdotes, essays, and photos of and by the winners and judges of the prize from 1981 to 1999. This collection of work by 80 poets tells the complete story of the Washington Prize. Entrants to the competition should consider this book a reference for how to win this prize.

All queries about the Washington Prize are answered with a graphically attractive brochure that describes the organization, provides the Washington Prize contest rules, profiles our books, and solicits orders. Typically, distribution is through booksales at readings by the author and mail orders to The Word Works. 

• Year 2009 Guidelines
• 2008 Winner
• List of Winners (annually since 1981)
• Washington Prize Anthology

WASHINGTON PRIZE GUIDELINES

In 2009, The Word Works will award a living American or Canadian poet $1,500 and book publication for a volume of original poetry in English. To enter:

• Submit a manuscript of 48 to 64 pages.
  • Include a title page with name, address, phone number, email address and signature. Author's name should appear on the title page only.
  • Repeat the title of the manuscript on the table of contents page.
  • Include an acknowledgments page and brief bio. Attach acknowledgments and bio to title page with a staple.
  • Use a binder clip to fasten the manuscript. No manuscripts will be returned.
  • Kindly indicate the information source where you learned about the Washington Prize. For example, AWP newsletter, Poets & Writers Magazine, the Word Works web site.


• Enclose entry fee: $25 US drawn on a US bank only, payable to The WORD WORKS.



• Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) for contest results. Early in 2008, all entrants to the 2007 Washington Prize will receive the winning publication.



• Between January 15 and March 1, 2009, inclusive, mail manuscript by first class postage, entry fee, and business-sized SASE to:
  • Nancy White, Administrator
  • WORD WORKS Washington Prize
  • Dearlove Hall
  • Adirondack Community College
  • 640 Bay Road
  • Queensbury, NY 12804

The winner will be selected by August 2009. Book publication is planned for January 2010.

Direct questions to Nancy White, Washington Prize Administrator, electronically or by regular mail to The Word Works, PO Box 42164, Washington, DC 20015. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with all regular mail inquiries. Many questions are answered in WINNERS: A RETROSPECTIVE OF THE WASHINGTON PRIZE .

Back to Top

2008 WASHINGTON PRIZE WINNER

The Word Works is pleased to announce that Richard Carr, of Minneapolis, MN, won the 2008 Washington Prize for his full-length poetry manuscript, Ace. The prize includes publication and a cash award of $1,500.

A former systems analyst, web designer, and tavern manager, Mr. Carr has taught writing and literature at several universities and community colleges. His book Mister Martini won the 2007 Vassar Miller Prize in Poetry and appeared earlier this year from the University of North Texas Press. Besides Ace, Mr. Carr has two other books of poetry which will be published shortly: Honey, which won the 2007 Gival Press Poetry Award, and Street Portraits, which will be issued by The Backwaters Press. His other publications include the chapbooks Letters from North Prospect, which won the 1997 Frank Cat Press Poetry Chapbook Competition, and Butterfly and Nothingness, which was published by Mudlark in 2004.

The Word Works chose Ace the winner from 255 manuscripts submitted by American poets. Epistolary Evening, by Doug Ramspeck of Lima, OH, was the runner-up. Honorable mentions were Violin, by Joanne Diaz of Chicago, IL, and Every Day Comes to You Naked, by Sharron Singleton of Scottsville, VA.