Authors, poets, this is a brilliant time to *gently* harass your publishers to submit you to this prize.
PRESS RELEASE
ALT TEXT For Immediate Release March 27, 2026
The Phoenix Poetry Prize is open for Submissions, deadline Dec 15, 2026.
Celebrating Canadian poets and poets on unceded land that “canada” stole.
Dear esteemed publishers, the Phoenix Poetry Prize is excited to announce that submissions for its inaugural prize in 2027 is open. This is an annual Canadian poetry prize that celebrates and supports Canadian poets. Please see the following award categories and submission guidelines. Info can be found on our website, phoenixpoetryprize.com
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Submissions for the 2027 prize accepted until the December 15, 2026 deadline.
Eligibility: Poetry published in English or French between January 2026 and December 2026.
Entry fee: A donation of a minimum of one unused postage stamp per publishing house enclosed with the hard copy books. (More are welcome and will be put to good use)
Format: One digital AND hard copy is highly encouraged. If financial costs to shipping are a barrier, publishers are welcome to submit a digital copy only (postage stamp fee waived).
Books must fit the requirements for a full-length collection of poetry, published by a Canadian publisher with an ISBN. Self-published titles are currently ineligible. THE 2027 AWARDS
WINNER: top prize $250 funded by Isabella’s pockets.
SUPER HONOURABLE MENTIONS: letters of appreciation from the community. Snail mailed to authors.
Mother-in-Law’s & Foster Mom’s Choice Awards: coffee and grocery gift cards
Rifferin Award: people’s choice award given to poet with the most fan-mail. Award is a stack of signed books from notable authors inscribed with notes of advice or inspiration.
Riffirm Award: poet who has done something innovative with form. Prize is a care package.
Raffin Award: given to an outstanding book of poetry published in French. Prize is gift cards to independent Canadian bookstores.
ALL eligible authors are invited to the virtual prize gala; all winners will receive additional opportunities from the prize’s sponsors and collaborators.
*We do not have the capacity to process traditionally-published books submitted by authors themselves. We encourage publishers to submit ALL poetry titles published by their authors in the contest year. We have decided to allow a range of submission formats to addressing issues of accessibility and the high fees often associated with submitting to contests.
LETTER TO PUBLISHERS
Dear Esteemed Publishers,
I am happy share the press release announcing the Phoenix Poetry Prize, accepting submissions for its inaugural prize season in 2027.
This annual prize, administered by the Girffin Poetry Prize, strives to support Canadian poets who have published a poetry collection each year. It recognizes that money awards are an important part of the support that poets and artists depend on to thrive. However, this prize also brings other components that nourish poets: letters of appreciation from the community; humour, laughter, jokes; reciprocity; mentorship and reading opportunities; gifts and care packages; collaboration, etc.
We are accepting poetry titles in English and French published between January 2026 - December 2026. Please note that the deadline for submissions is December 15, 2026.
Acknowledging barriers often associated with the high cost of submission fees or shipping, we are waiving fees and asking instead, that publishers donate a minimum of one unused postage stamp. Additionally, while hard copies of books are encouraged, they are not mandatory. Publishers are welcome to submit a digital copy, but in so doing, we ask that publishers submit ALL the eligible books published each year to ensure that each poet has an opportunity to be recognized.
Digital copies can be sent to this email, [email protected] with the title “E-Book Submission from [name of publisher]”
Hard copies, along postage stamp donation, can be mailed, please email for mailing address.
We encourage minimal, eco-friendly packaging. Please see the press release pdf and our website for full submission criteria and details. Please do not hesitate to direct any questions to this email.
With gratitude for all you do,
Isabella Wang
Founder & benefactor, Girffin Poetry Prize
Dear Esteemed Publishers,
I am happy share the press release announcing the Phoenix Poetry Prize, accepting submissions for its inaugural prize season in 2027.
This annual prize, administered by the Girffin Poetry Prize, strives to support Canadian poets who have published a poetry collection each year. It recognizes that money awards are an important part of the support that poets and artists depend on to thrive. However, this prize also brings other components that nourish poets: letters of appreciation from the community; humour, laughter, jokes; reciprocity; mentorship and reading opportunities; gifts and care packages; collaboration, etc.
We are accepting poetry titles in English and French published between January 2026 - December 2026. Please note that the deadline for submissions is December 15, 2026.
Acknowledging barriers often associated with the high cost of submission fees or shipping, we are waiving fees and asking instead, that publishers donate a minimum of one unused postage stamp. Additionally, while hard copies of books are encouraged, they are not mandatory. Publishers are welcome to submit a digital copy, but in so doing, we ask that publishers submit ALL the eligible books published each year to ensure that each poet has an opportunity to be recognized.
Digital copies can be sent to this email, [email protected] with the title “E-Book Submission from [name of publisher]”
Hard copies, along postage stamp donation, can be mailed, please email for mailing address.
We encourage minimal, eco-friendly packaging. Please see the press release pdf and our website for full submission criteria and details. Please do not hesitate to direct any questions to this email.
With gratitude for all you do,
Isabella Wang
Founder & benefactor, Girffin Poetry Prize
