Organizer Information:
The Academy of American Poets is a leading national organization dedicated to supporting poets at all career stages and fostering appreciation for contemporary poetry. The James Laughlin Award, offered since 1954, honors the legacy of poet and publisher James Laughlin, founder of New Directions.
Title & Description
The 2026 James Laughlin Award.
This award is specifically designed to recognize and support a poet’s second full-length print book of original poetry. The prize aims to sustain the careers of living poets by providing significant financial support, residency time, and wide-scale distribution through the Academy’s extensive network of members.
Categories
Writing, Poetry, Literature.
Eligibility
- Citizenship/Residency: Open to U.S. Citizens, residents of the U.S. for the ten-year period prior to the deadline, or those with DACA, TPS, or Legal Permanent Status (LPS).
- Career Stage: The poet must have already published one standard edition book of poetry (48 pages or more). Chapbooks do not disqualify an author.
- Book Status: The second book must be under contract with a U.S. publisher and scheduled for publication between January 1 and December 31, 2027.
- Language: Must be original poetry written in English; translations and new editions are ineligible.
Program Benefits and Awards
- Cash Prize: $5,000 USD.
- Residency: An all-expenses-paid weeklong residency at The Betsy Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida.
- Distribution: The Academy will purchase and distribute approximately 1,000 copies of the winning book to its members.
- Promotion: Three poems from the winning collection will be featured on Poets.org.
Fees
- Entry Fee: None (Free to enter).
Application Requirements
- Format: Submissions must be in manuscript form or page proofs; galleys are not accepted.
- Length: At least 48 pages total (suggested 48–100 pages).
- Anonymity: The author's name must not appear on any page or in running heads, though acknowledgments are permitted.
- Publisher Role: The publisher must upload the PDF via Submittable and signify acceptance of guidelines.
How to Apply?
Publishers must submit the entry through the official Academy of American Poets Submittable portal. For specific inquiries, contact awards@poets.org.
Key Dates
- Submission Period: February 18, 2026, to June 15, 2026.
- Deadline: June 15, 2026.
- Publication Window: January 1 – December 31, 2027.
Location
United States (U.S. Publisher required; Residency in Miami Beach, FL).
Additional Details
The 2026 judges are Patrick Rosal, Anastacia-Reneé, and Sherwin Bitsui. The publisher agrees to identify the winning book with the official award seal on all copies and reprints.