The Al and Eurithe Purdy Poetry Prize is a Canadian literary award, presented annually to honour the best works of poetry by Canadian writers published in the previous year."Eurithe Purdy launches $10K prize for Canadian poets in memory of husband Al Purdy". CBC Books, March 25, 2024.
The award was created in 2024 by Eurithe Purdy, the widow of influential Canadian poet Al Purdy, and awards $10,000 to the winner. It is presented annually on April 21, the anniversary of Al Purdy's death."Al Purdy's widow Eurithe launches $10,000 prize for best new poetry book in Canada"]. Canadian Press, March 19, 2024. It was created in part as a response to the Griffin Poetry Prize dropping its dedicated Canadian poetry category the previous year, with Eurithe Purdy stressing the importance of literary prize money in having helped her and Al to keep their rent paid in his early career.
In the first year, the award winner was selected directly by Eurithe Purdy in consultation with literary advisors, with the winners in following years selected by a jury from a list of nominees."Alberta writer Sid Marty wins inaugural $10K Al and Eurithe Purdy Poetry Prize". CBC Books, April 23, 2024.
Winners and nominees Year Writer Book Result Ref 2024 Sid Marty Oldman's River: New and Collected Poems Winner Cassandra Drudi, "Sid Marty wins inaugural Al and Eurithe Purdy Poetry Prize". Quill & Quire, April 22, 2024. 2025 A. F. Moritz Great Silent Ballad Winner Attila Berki, "A.F. Moritz named winner of 2025 Al and Eurithe Purdy Poetry Prize". Quill & Quire, April 21, 2025. Brian Bartlett The Astonishing Room Shortlist Cassandra Drudi, "Independent press titles dominate 2025 Al & Eurithe Purdy Poetry Prize shortlist". Quill & Quire, March 31, 2025. Tim Bowling In the Capital City of Autumn Michael Ondaatje A Year of Last Things Harold Rhenisch The Salmon Shanties: A Cascadian Song Cycle Colin Morton Scar Atlas Longlist Attila Berki, "Al & Eurithe Purdy Poetry Prize longlist for 2025 announced". Quill & Quire, March 11, 2025. Catherine Owen Moving to Delilah Matthew Tierney Lossless Rhea Tregebov Talking to Strangers Tom Wayman How Can You Live Here? 2026 Tom Wayman Out of the Ordinary Winner Cassandra Drudi, "Tom Wayman wins 2026 Al and Eurithe Purdy Poetry Prize". Quill & Quire, April 21, 2026. Joseph Dandurand I Would Like to Say Thank You Shortlist Attila Berki, "Five poets shortlisted for 2026 Al and Eurithe Purdy Poetry Prize". Quill & Quire, April 2, 2026. Evelyn Lau Parade of Storms Karen Solie Wellwater Nicola Vulpe On the News that Sagittarius A* Grows Hungrier George Amabile Seeing Things Longlist Cassandra Drudi, "Longlist announced for 2026 Purdy Prize". Quill & Quire, March 24, 2026. bill bissett th book uv lost passwords 1 Marilyn Bowering Frayed Linens Lorne Daniel What Is Broken Binds Us Gillian Sze An Orange, a Syllable
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