The Granite State Poetry Prize | $5k Publication Prize
The Granite State Poetry Prize is a $5,000 publication prize given annually for a previously unpublished poetry collection of extraordinary quality written by an emerging or established New Hampshire poet. Housed and managed by the University of New Hampshire’s English Department, the Prize is made possible through the generous support of the YAS Foundation in honor of poet and poetry lover, Nossrat Yassini.
This year's guest judge is acclaimed author and New Hampshire State Poet Laureate Jennifer Militello.
The winner of the 2025 Granite Poetry Prize will receive $5,000, book publication (20 copies + a standard royalty contract), a headline reading/book launch at the Nossrat Yassini Poetry Festival (April 18-19, 2025), and a national spotlight on their work.
Known for its stunning natural landscape, from rugged coastline to soaring White Mountains, the Granite State is revered by nature lovers. Perhaps this is why it’s also said to have more working authors per capita than any other state, and was home to many renowned poets, including Robert Frost, Jane Kenyon, Donald Hall, Maxine Kumin, and UNH’s beloved Charles Simic.
The Granite Poetry Prize was established to honor the work of living poets who call New Hampshire home. The winning poet receives:
-$5,000
-Publication (+20 copies of your book)
-A headline reading/book launch at the Nossrat Yassini Poetry Festival, taking place at the University of New Hampshire on April 18-19, 2025.
-A platform to offer a virtual workshop to a national audience
-Promotion of the poet and their book leading up to the Festival
We are accepting previously unpublished, full-length poetry manuscripts by current New Hampshire residents engaged in ongoing literary work in the state, OR by poets with a personal history, identity, and/or manuscript that demonstrate a strong New Hampshire influence. You will be asked to submit a brief artist’s statement delineating your connection to the state.
Manuscripts should be:
-previously unpublished (including self-publications and e-books). Poems may have been previously published in periodicals or chapbooks, but the collection as a whole must not have been previously published.
-between 48 and 96 pages (including front matter), typed single-spaced (unless the poems are meant to be presented using nonstandard spacing) using a standard font, such as Times New Roman. Multiple poems may not appear on a single page.
-of original poetry, in English, by one poet. There are no restrictions on the style of poetry or subject matter. Translations are not eligible.
Entering the prize implies the author’s willingness to attend the Nossrat Yassini Poetry Festival in Durham, New Hampshire (April 18-19, 2025), and to take part in the headline reading and offer one workshop virtually. The honorarium is awarded in exchange for/after appearing at the Festival. If money is needed to assist with travel, arrangements for a portion of the prize to be received in advance will be made.
-Reading Fee: $30 (this will be used solely to offer stipends to readers of the prize and is non-refundable)
-A brief artist’s statement delineating your connection to the state
-Screening for the Granite Poetry Prize is anonymous: the manuscript (to include the filename) should not contain any information that would reveal the identity of its author. Include one title page with the manuscript title only. Contact information is collected via Submittable, and will be hidden from our readers. An acknowledgments page may be included.
-Manuscripts must have a numbered table of contents.
-Manuscripts must be submitted electronically, through Submittable, and should be a .doc, .docx, or .pdf file.
-UNH/The YAS Foundation assumes no responsibility for manuscripts not received due to user error. Applicants may verify the receipt of their manuscript by logging into Submittable.
-Applicants may submit manuscripts elsewhere simultaneously, but must notify us immediately if a manuscript is accepted for publication by another publisher.
-Poets are not eligible to apply if they are close friends and/or have studied with the final judge, Alexandria Peary, in full-time accredited courses within the last three years.
-Current UNH staff and students are not eligible to submit. (See the USNH Prize)
-All applicants will be notified of the 2024 Granite State Poetry Prize results by email by February 28, 2024.
-We cannot consider manuscript revisions during the course of the contest. The winning poet will have an opportunity to revise before publication.
-Decisions regarding eligibility, both initial and throughout the award period, are final. UNH/The YAS Foundation reserves the right to withhold the Granite State Poetry Prize in any given year.
The Wildcats Poetry Prize | $3k in Prizes + Publication
Funded by the YAS Foundation and managed by the University of New Hampshire’s English Department, the Wildcats Poetry Prize was created to promote and honor excellence in writing at the college level. Each year, students enrolled on any USNH campus are invited to submit their original poetry for a chance to be published in an anthology that will be housed in the library at the University of New Hampshire Durham. Two first and two second prize winners will be awarded $1,000 and $500 prizes respectively, and will read their winning poems at the Nossrat Yassini Poetry Festival on April 18, 2025.
-Must be actively enrolled in classes at USNH (any campus)
-Must submit original writing that has not been previously published elsewhere.
-Must be willing to have your work appear in the USNH Anthology and, if chosen as one of the four prize winners, to read your winning poem at the Nossrat Yassini Poetry Festival on April 18, 2025. Honorariums are awarded in exchange for / after appearing at the Festival.
The New Hampshire Teen Poetry Prize | $500 Prizes + Publication
Funded by the YAS Foundation and managed by the University of New Hampshire’s English Department, the New Hampshire Teen Poetry Prize was created to promote and honor excellence in writing at the high school level. Each year, students (ages 13-19) across New Hampshire are invited to submit their original poetry for a chance at publication, as well as three significant monetary prizes of $500 each. Grand prize winners will read their winning poems at the Nossrat Yassini Poetry Festival, the evening of April 18, 2025.
-Must be a New Hampshire youth, between the ages of 13-19
-Must submit original writing in verse that has not been previously published elsewhere. May include, but is not limited to, free verse, formal poetry, prose poetry, song lyrics, and spoken word.
-Must be willing to have your work appear in the Young Poets Anthology and, if chosen as a grand prize winner, to read your winning poem at the Nossrat Yassini Poetry Festival on April 18, 2025. The honorarium is awarded in exchange for and after the completion of appearance at the Festival.