Newsletter Signup | Able Muse Review Subscription | Forward
Able Muse Book Award · Poetry Manuscript
2026 Contest Winner
Announced by Able Muse & Able Muse Press
✦ ✦ ✦
Able Muse is pleased to announce the winner of the Book Award for a poetry manuscript — judged anonymously by the final judge, Annie Finch. The winning poet receives a $1,000 prize and publication by Able Muse Press.
Able Muse Book Award for Poetry
Final Judge: Annie Finch
He wins the $1,000 prize and publication by Able Muse Press, Spring/Summer 2027.
Runners-Up (first to last)
- Amy Spade — Uncertain Serenade
- M. I. Devine — Dadaisms
- Daniel Cross Turner — Signal Fires
Honorable Mentions
- Will Toedtman — In the Light
- Kelsea Habecker — North Wife
- John Talbot — A Charm at Solstice
- Jennifer Davis Michael — Bodies at Rest
- Malcolm Greenlee Farley — Of Wolf and Woad
✦ ✦ ✦
Congratulations to our winner, runners-up, and honorable mentions — well done to all! And thank you to everyone who entered.
Note: Some of our runners-up will also be offered a standard Able Muse Press book contract.
Stay tuned for the announcements coming soon for the 2027 Able Muse contests.
Past Able Muse Book Award Winners
Published by Able Muse Press
2023Terminarchselected by David Yezzi
2022Romance Languageselected by Rachel Hadas
2021Rise above the Riverselected by Mark Jarman
2020Say What You Willselected by Brad Leithauser
2019Trap Streetselected by David Mason
2018The Cupped Field
2017Green Hill
2016Manhattaniteforeword by A. E. Stallings
2015The Borrowed Worldforeword by Michael Palma
2014Cause for Concernforeword by Jehanne Dubrow
2013Walking in on Peopleforeword by Timothy Steele
2012Virtue, Big as Sinafterword by Timothy Steele
2011Dirge for an Imaginary Worldforeword by Greg Williamson