Established in 1999, this first book award is dedicated to the discovery of exceptional manuscripts by African American poets. The participation of distinguished judges and prominent literary presses has made this prize highly competitive.

2009 CAVE CANEM POETRY PRIZE

Judge:

Publisher: Graywolf Press

Guidelines will be available in January 2009.


PRIZE WINNERS 1999-2008

Prize Winning Collections

2008
The Cave Canem Poetry Prize was not awarded in 2008. (Clarence Major, judge).

2007
Ronaldo Wilson for Narrative of The Life of The Brown Boy and The White Man, selected by Claudia Rankine, published by The University of Pittsburgh Press in 2008.
Finalists: Erica Doyle and Nicole Terez Dutton.

Press Release

Ronaldo V. Wilson Headlines in Pittsburgh, November 21, 2008

2006
Dawn Lundy Martin for A Gathering of Matter/A Matter of Gathering, selected by Carl Phillips, published by The University of Georgia Press (2007).

2005
Constance Quarterman Bridges for Lions Don't Eat Us, selected by Sonia Sanchez, published by Graywolf Press (2006).

2004
Amber Flora Thomas for Eye of Water, selected by Harryette Mullen, published by The University of Pittsburgh Press (2005).

2003
Kyle Dargan for The Listening, selected by Quincy Troupe, published by The University of Georgia Press (2004)

2002
Tracy K. Smith for The Body's Question, selected by Kevin Young, published by Graywolf Press(2003).

2001
Lyrae Van Clief-Stefanon for Black Swan, selected by Marilyn Nelson, published by The University of Pittsburgh Press (2002).

2000
Major Jackson for Leaving Saturn, selected by Al Young, published by The University of Georgia Press (2002).

1999
Natasha Trethewey for Domestic Work, selected by Rita Dove, published by Graywolf Press (2000).



Copyright © 1997-2008 by Cave Canem Foundation, Inc.

HOME | CONTACT | TOP