Shenandoah Announces the Graybeal-Gowen Prize for Virginia Poets
Shenandoah: The Washington and Lee University Review is looking for Virginia poets to submit their work for the 2016 Graybeal-Gowen Prize. This annual prize awards $500 to a writer born in Virginia, with current residence in Virginia or one who lived in Virginia for what they consider a substantial amount of time. Current members of the Washington and Lee community are not eligible.
The submission period for this year’s Graybeal-Gowen Prize is March 1 through April 1, 2016. Shenandoah will consider up to three poems per author of 50 lines or less, and the winning poem will be published in a future edition of Shenandoah.
Previous year’s winners include: Nancy Schoenberger of Williamsburg, Virginia, with her poem “London Foundling Hospital;” Judith McCombs, currently of Bethesda, Maryland, with her poem “The Minister’s Wife Seeks Patrick McKommie’s Advice;” and Margaret Mackinnon of Falls Church, Virginia, with her poem “Writing On the Window.”
Contestants should send one word file of each poem with contact information in the upper right-hand corner, and a brief biographical note confirming eligibility as a Virginian, to the submittable link on Shenandoah’s website. No entry fee is required.
The Graybeal-Gowen Prize is dedicated to Howerton Gowen (W&L ’30), a lifelong lover of poetry. The prize is donated by Priscilla Gowen-Graybeal and her husband, James (W&L ’49).
For more information, visit shenandoahliterary.org/graybeal-gowen
