The Philip Levine Prize in Poetry is an annual book contest sponsored by the M.F.A. Program at California State University, Fresno. It offers a $1,500 prize and publication and distribution by Anhinga Press, a Florida-based press that has been publishing poetry for more than 25 years and is directed by University of Wyoming grad Rick Campbell. The winning author also receives 25 free author copies of his/her book.
The contest is named for poet Philip Levine who served as contest judge in 2001, 2002 and 2005. Philip Levine taught at CSUF for many years and is one of the best known and most highly-honored American poets. He has published 16 books of poems, as well as several volumes of translations and two collections of essays. His list of honors includes two National Book Awards, two National Book Critics Circle Awards, the American Book Award, the Ruth Lily Poetry Prize for Distinguished Poetic Achievement, and the Pulitzer Prize for poetry.
Judge for the 2008 competition is Oregon poet Dorianne Laux. Postmark deadline is Sept. 30, 2008. Manuscript should be original poetry, not previously published in book form, and should be 48-80 pages, no more than one poem per page. The entry fee is $25. Checks should be made out to "CSU Fresno Levine Prize." Mail to: Philip Levine Prize in Poetry, CSUF English Department, 5245 N. Backer Ave. MS PB98, Fresno, CA 93740-8001.
FMI: E-mail Connie Hales at connieh@csufresno.edu
