Offered since 1954, the James Laughlin Award is given to recognize and support a second book of poetry forthcoming in the next calendar year. The award was endowed in 1995 by a gift to the Academy from the Drue Heinz Trust. It is named for the poet and publisher James Laughlin (1914-1997), who founded New Directions in 1936.

The winner receives a prize of $5,000, an all-expenses-paid weeklong residency at The Betsy Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, and distribution of the winning book to approximately one-thousand Academy of American Poets members.

The judges for 2015 are Francisco X. Alarcón, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, and D. Nurkse.

Submissions will be accepted January 1 through May 15. Postmark deadline: May 15.

Guidelines and Entry Form