2026 Academy of American Poets First Book Award
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The 2026 Academy of American Poets First Book Award is a $5,000 first-book publication prize. The winning manuscript, chosen by former Academy Chancellor and celebrated poet Brenda Hillman, will be published by Graywolf Press, a leading independent publisher committed to the discovery and energetic publication of contemporary American and international literature. The winner also receives an all-expenses-paid six-week residency at the Civitella Ranieri Center in the Umbrian region of Italy and distribution of the winning book to thousands of Academy of American Poets members.
Submissions for the 2026 Academy of American Poets First Book Award are accepted from July 1, 2025 to September 1, 2025 (11:59 p.m. Eastern). Please review our guidelines before sending your submission. For questions, please write to awards@poets.org.