Steve Kowit Poetry Prize 2026 — San Diego Poetry Annual ($1,000, Judge Marge Piercy)
San Diego Poetry Annual
October 15, 2026 (16 publicSeo.openCall.daysLeft)San Diego, California, USA (online submission; open to poets anywhere)
Annual poetry prize honouring Steve Kowit, run by the San Diego Poetry Annual with the San Diego Entertainment & Arts Guild.
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First prize $1,000, second $250, third $100. Winning and Honorable Mention poems are published in the San Diego Poetry Annual in March, and winners are invited to read at the awards reception in April (National Poetry Month) at the San Diego Central Library. 2026 judge: Marge Piercy.
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Open to any poet anywhere. One previously unpublished poem in English per entry, plus a 50-word biography; no name on the poem (blind judging). No simultaneous submissions; poems imitating Steve Kowit's work are not wanted. Multiple entries allowed.
Dates & details
- Programme dates
- Awards reception in April 2027, San Diego Central Library
- Results
- Finalists in December; awardees on 5 January 2027
- Costs to the artist
- Entry fee only; submission online
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$1,000 first prize; $250 second; $100 third
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$15 per poem (a tax-deductible donation; includes the San Diego Poetry Annual as PDF/e-book)