The prize is named after the German poet Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926), a writer whose work embodies the qualities of ambition, intellectual and imaginative scope, and technical mastery we seek to recognize.

Description

An annual award of a $10,000 award recognizing a book that demonstrates exceptional artistry and vision written by a mid-career poet and published in the preceding year.

Guidelines

Entrants must have published at least two previous books of poetry and be U.S. citizens or legal resident aliens of the United States. Work must be original poetry written in English. Books may be submitted by presses or by writers themselves in the month of November and must be postmarked by November 31. Entered books must have been published between November 1 and October 31 of the preceding year. Each submission must include a copy of the book and a completed entry form. Self-published books will not be considered. Finalists may be asked to submit further copies. Books will not be returned.

Results will be announced by January. The winner will make a trip to UNT to give readings and public appearances on the Denton campus and in the DFW metroplex over the course of two days in April. UNT will pay for travel expenses. The author must also allow portions of the winning work to be reproduced for promoting the award. Poets who enter the prize must agree to these terms in order to accept the prize.

Judging

The prize will be judged by UNT’s poetry faculty.

Submission Requirements

Authors or publishers should send a copy of the book and entry form (which is available here) to:

The UNT Rilke Prize
Department of English
University of North Texas
1155 Union Circle #311307
Denton, TX 76203-5017