The Richard Wilbur Award is an American poetry award and publishing prize given by University of Evansville in Indiana. It is named in honor of the American poet Richard Wilbur and was established by William Baer, a professor at the University of Evansville. This biennial competition (awarded in even-numbered years) amongst all American poets awards publication of the winning manuscript by the University of Evansville Press and a small monetary prize.
Open to all American poets, except previous Wilbur Award winners, the contest is "[n]amed in honor of the distinguished American poet Richard Wilbur, and welcomes submissions of unpublished, original poetry collections (public domain or permission-secured translations may comprise up to one-third of the manuscript). ... Winning manuscripts will reflect the thoughtful humanity and careful metrical craftsmanship of Richard Wilbur's poetry." The 2019 contest is being judged by Ned Balbo. The award has an entry fee of $25 per manuscript, and the prize is $1000 plus publication. After the retirement of Dr. William Baer in 2015, Professor Rob Griffith became of the director of the competition.
The submissions are judged without knowing the identity of the contributors.
NPR journalist Michel Martin called it a "prestigious award". Journalist Julie Gunter in National Catholic Reporter considered the award to be "coveted".
The annual competition is conducted by the University of Evansville, is considered "prestigious", and attracts top shelf poets as judges.
Winners Source 1998-2007: Year Winner Collection/Work Ref(s) 1998 Robert Daseler Levering Avenue 1999 A. E. Stallings Archaic Smile 2000 Len Krisak Even As We Speak 2001 Rhina Espaillat Rehearsing Absence 2002 A. M. Juster The Secret Language of Women 2003 Thomas Carper Distant Blue 2004 Alfred Nicol Winter Light 2005 Chelsea Rathburn The Shifting Line 2006 Richard Wakefield East of Early Winters 2007 David Stephenson Rhythm and Blues 2008 Deborah Warren Dream with Flowers and Bowl of Fruit 2009 Susan McLean The Best Disguise 2010 Marion Shore Sand Castle 2011 Robert W. Crawford The Empty Chair 2012 William Bell The Picnic in the Rain 2013 Paul Lake The Republic of Virtue 2014 Maryann Corbett Mid Evil 2015 Midge Goldberg Snowman's Code 2016 Catherine Chandler The Frangible Hour 2017 Adam Tavel Catafalque 2018 Ned Balbo 3 Nights of the Perseids 2019 Jehanne Dubrow Simple Machines 2020 Aaron Poochigian American Divine 2021 M.B. Smith Midlife
References Notes
Citations
Bibliography, Richard Wilbur Series Award books in chronological order