Over N46m for grabs in Griffin Poetry Prize

The Griffin Poetry Prize offers over N46 million ($130, 000) in two categories, international and Canadian. Each prize is worth N23 million ($65, 000). In each category, the prize is for the best collection of poetry, in English, published during the preceding year. One prize goes to a living Canadian poet or translator, the other […]

The Griffin Poetry Prize offers over N46 million ($130, 000) in two categories, international and Canadian. Each prize is worth N23 million ($65, 000).

In each category, the prize is for the best collection of poetry, in English, published during the preceding year. One prize goes to a living Canadian poet or translator, the other to a living poet or translator from any country.

Translations are assessed for their quality as poetry in English; the focus is on the achievement of the translator.

Should a prize-winning book be a translation from a living poet, the prize is awarded 60 per cent to the translator, and 40 per cent to the original poet. If the original poet is dead, but his or her work is within copyright, 40 per cent of the prize is given to the original poet’s estate. Otherwise, the disbursement of that portion of the prize is left to the discretion of the judges.

The judges, who will be selected by the trustees of the prize, will compile a shortlist of up to seven outstanding books of poetry, four international, and three Canadian.

From the shortlist, the judges will select the final winners in the international and Canadian categories. 

The judges have absolute discretion in interpreting the rules, and their decision is final. All decisions of the judges will be unanimous.

A shortlist of finalists will be announced annually in March or April. Publicity promoting the shortlisted books and poets will begin at that announcement, and continue until after the winners are declared.

It is expected that shortlisted poets will participate in reading their poetry at a public event, and will attend the awards evening.

C$10,000 will be awarded to each shortlisted poet, conditional upon the shortlisted poet attending and participating in the readings event.

The readings and awards evening will take place in Canada over two days in May or June, annually.