The National Poetry Series

The National Poetry Series
Name	The National Poetry Series
Formation	1978
Location	United States
Founder	James Laughlin

The National Poetry Series is a literary organization that aims to promote and support emerging and established poets, such as Adrienne Rich, John Ashbery, and Mark Strand. The series was founded in 1978 by James Laughlin, the founder of New Directions Publishing, with the goal of publishing five books of poetry each year, selected by prominent poets like W.S. Merwin and Philip Levine. The National Poetry Series has played a significant role in shaping the literary landscape of the United States, with winners going on to receive prestigious awards like the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, awarded to poets like Mary Oliver and Billy Collins. The series has also been supported by organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts and the Lannan Foundation, which have helped to promote the work of poets like Dorianne Laux and Martín Espada.

Introduction

The National Poetry Series has been instrumental in launching the careers of many notable poets, including Rita Dove, Yusef Komunyakaa, and Terrance Hayes. The series has also published works by established poets like Robert Hass and Sharon Olds, who have gone on to win awards like the National Book Critics Circle Award and the PEN/Faulkner Award. The National Poetry Series has been praised for its commitment to publishing a diverse range of voices, including those of poets like Joy Harjo and Natalie Diaz, who have been recognized with awards like the American Book Award and the Whiting Award. The series has also been supported by literary magazines like The Paris Review and The New Yorker, which have helped to promote the work of poets like Mark Doty and Marie Howe.

History

The National Poetry Series was founded in 1978 by James Laughlin, who was inspired by the success of the PEN American Center and the Academy of American Poets. The series was initially funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Lannan Foundation, which have continued to support the series over the years. The series has also received support from organizations like the Guggenheim Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation, which have helped to promote the work of poets like Alice Walker and Toni Morrison. The National Poetry Series has published over 150 books of poetry since its inception, including works by poets like Gwendolyn Brooks and Langston Hughes, who have been recognized with awards like the Pulitzer Prize and the National Medal of Arts.

Selection Process

The selection process for the National Poetry Series is highly competitive, with a panel of judges like Tracy K. Smith and Henri Cole reviewing submissions from poets across the United States. The judges are chosen for their expertise and their commitment to promoting emerging and established poets, like Cynthia Ozick and Richard Howard. The selection process typically takes place over several months, with the judges reviewing hundreds of manuscripts from poets like Amy Gerstler and Albert Goldbarth. The winners are announced in the spring, and their books are published in the fall by presses like University of Pittsburgh Press and Copper Canyon Press, which have also published works by poets like Frank Bidart and Jorie Graham.

Notable Winners

The National Poetry Series has a long list of notable winners, including Rita Dove, Yusef Komunyakaa, and Terrance Hayes, who have gone on to win awards like the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. Other notable winners include Adrienne Rich, John Ashbery, and Mark Strand, who have been recognized with awards like the National Book Critics Circle Award and the PEN/Faulkner Award. The series has also published works by emerging poets like Dorianne Laux and Martín Espada, who have been recognized with awards like the American Book Award and the Whiting Award. The National Poetry Series has also supported the work of poets like Joy Harjo and Natalie Diaz, who have been recognized with awards like the National Medal of Arts and the MacArthur Fellowship.

Impact and Legacy

The National Poetry Series has had a significant impact on the literary landscape of the United States, with winners going on to receive prestigious awards like the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. The series has also played a role in shaping the careers of many notable poets, including Rita Dove and Yusef Komunyakaa, who have gone on to become prominent figures in the literary world. The National Poetry Series has been praised for its commitment to publishing a diverse range of voices, including those of poets like Joy Harjo and Natalie Diaz, who have been recognized with awards like the American Book Award and the Whiting Award. The series has also been supported by literary organizations like the Academy of American Poets and the PEN American Center, which have helped to promote the work of poets like Mark Doty and Marie Howe.

List of Winners

The National Poetry Series has published over 150 books of poetry since its inception, including works by poets like Gwendolyn Brooks and Langston Hughes, who have been recognized with awards like the Pulitzer Prize and the National Medal of Arts. Some notable winners include Rita Dove, Yusef Komunyakaa, and Terrance Hayes, who have gone on to win awards like the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. Other winners include Adrienne Rich, John Ashbery, and Mark Strand, who have been recognized with awards like the National Book Critics Circle Award and the PEN/Faulkner Award. The series has also published works by emerging poets like Dorianne Laux and Martín Espada, who have been recognized with awards like the American Book Award and the Whiting Award. The National Poetry Series has also supported the work of poets like Joy Harjo and Natalie Diaz, who have been recognized with awards like the National Medal of Arts and the MacArthur Fellowship, and have been published by presses like University of Pittsburgh Press and Copper Canyon Press, which have also published works by poets like Frank Bidart and Jorie Graham, and have been supported by organizations like the Guggenheim Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation, which have helped to promote the work of poets like Alice Walker and Toni Morrison.

Category:American poetry