The James Laughlin Award is given to honor a second book of original poetry, in English, by a living citizen of the United States. Additional books on a smaller scale, such as chapbooks and limited editions, will not disqualify a poet. Submissions are welcome from small presses, university presses, and trade publishers that have previously published at least four volumes of poetry and are prepared to produce a hardbound edition. Bound books or galleys will not be accepted. An entry that has already been published need not have been released in hardback, but the publisher must be prepared to issue a hardbound edition no later than June 1, 2002.
Suggested length is between forty and seventy- five pages.
Entries should be postmarked no later than May 1, 2001. The decision of the jury is expected by September 2001. The winning publisher agrees to publish the selected manuscript no later than June 1, 2002. The publisher is free to publish a paperbound as well as a hardbound edition. No royalties will be paid to the author on the copies purchased by the Academy.