• Author must be aged 40 or older by December 31, 2026.
• Author must not have published a poetry book or not have published a new original poetry collection within the last 10 years. (Books published prior to June 1, 2016 will not disqualify an applicant. “Poetry book” is understood to be a collection of the author’s work totaling more than 40 pages, and does not include self-published works, books published by vanity presses,  anthologies, or books of fiction or non-fiction.) 
• Manuscripts must be primarily in English. 
• Manuscript must be the sole creation of the author. 
• Translations will not be considered. 
• Submission length: 48–64 pages, using an 8 1/2 x 11 inch page, 1 inch margins and 12 point font.
• $25 entry fee. Inquire with oegger@wesleyan.edu if you wish to request the fee be waived due to financial limits/hardship.

Further information at: https://www.weslpress.org/the-cardinal-poetry-prize/

About the Prize

The Cardinal Poetry Prize was conceived by poet John Murillo as a unique opportunity for serious poets who have taken their time and decided not to rush publication, for the studious, rigorous, midnight oil burning, patient ones who are finally satisfied that they have something worthy of readers. The winner will be selected by the guest judge, former US poet Laureate Robert Pinsky, following an initial screening process conducted by coeditors Murillo and Suzanna Tamminen (Director and Editor-in-Chief of Wesleyan University Press), and Oliver Egger (Consulting Editor.) 

Submissions Extended until Feb. 15th! 

Dear Poet,

Hello! This is Annie Wenstrup (Dena’ina), Mary Leauna Christensen (Eastern Band Cherokee),

and Noʻu Revilla (ʻŌiwi). We are editors for a new anthology series of Indigenous poetry to be

published by Wesleyan University Press. The first volume has a tentative publication date of

Spring 2028.

HOW TO SUBMIT:

If you are interested in submitting to the anthology, we would be elated! Please send 3-5 poems

by Friday, January 9th. We welcome visual poetry and multi-modal work that explores color,

shape, image, audio, and movement. A website hosting audio, video, and visual components

will be an extension of the print anthology.

Poets whose work is selected for inclusion in the anthology will then be asked to submit a micro

craft essay (500-800 words) that speaks to their poetics. Accepted poets will also be asked to

share one poem by another Indigenous writer that has shaped their understanding of

Indigenous poetics.

Although we encourage you to share new and unpublished poems, we also welcome previously

published work in your submission. Please include an acknowledgement for any previously

published poems. We ask for work that has not yet been anthologized or is under consideration

for other anthologies.

ABOUT THIS ANTHOLOGY:

First and foremost, this anthology seeks to celebrate work by contemporary Indigenous poets. It

also aims to be an introductory text for use in classroom settings. To that end, craft essays on

Indigenous poetics will accompany the poem selections. Written by the poets featured in the

anthology, the essays ensure that each poet has the opportunity to place their work in a context

that represents their poetics and honor the literary lineages their writing originates from.

This project is guided by Indigenous values and as editors we affirm that poetry is an expression

of cultural and tribal sovereignty. Our editorial practice adopts the Elements of Indigenous Syle

Guide by Greg Younging as a starting point for our communication and kinship with writers and

readers.

A NOTE ON INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES:

We’d love to include work that’s in or that includes your language(s). If you would like to include

a translation of your work, that is welcomed, but not required.

To ensure proper formatting: if your submission includes text in your Indigenous language,

please include a note stating which language(s) appear in your work and if they need a specific

keyboard to correctly render the language.

Thank you for your consideration.

Best,

The editors