Once again in 2026, our friends at the Ohio Poetry Day Association are accepting nominations for the Ohio Poet of the Year. This is the 50th year of handing out the award, which is given for a single book of poetry published in the previous year. Past winners include Mary Oliver, Maggie Smith, David Baker, and Yalie Saweda Kamara. Guidelines are provided below.
Nomination Guidelines
- The poet must be a native or a resident of Ohio or, if neither, must have previously lived in Ohio and established close ties to the state.
- There is no form to fill out, no fee, and no letter of recommendation is necessary.
- Books must be nominated by other people, such as a publisher, editor, poet colleague or poetry group.
- Book length: at least 48 pages of poetry. The page count does not include: Title Pages, acknowledgments, illustrations, photographs, or end matter, such as notes.
- Nominated books may be from a commercial, university, small or hybrid press, or self-published, but vanity books will not be considered.
- They may have received previous awards or honors.
- They must have been published between July 1, 2024 and May 1, 2026.
- They must be the work of one poet, and the work is not part of an edited anthology including various poets.
- No translations.
- Poets who have previously entered the contest, but did not win, may submit a different book.
- No one will be chosen a second time as Poet of the Year.
- Nominations must be received by May 26, 2026.
Prize
The award includes a cash prize of $200.00
and a plaque. The winner will be invited
to speak at the OPDA luncheon and a poem from the poet’s winning entry will be
the lead-off poem in OPDA’s The Best of 2026 book.
Results will be announced 6-8 weeks following the submission deadline, in late July 2026.
To Submit
Mail a copy of the book plus the poet’s mailing address, phone number, email and short bio (50-100 words) to:
Questions? Contact Amy Zook @ 937-834-2666.
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