Illinois Emerging Writers Competition Illinois Center for the Book
Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Award
Named for the late Pulitzer Prize winner and Illinois Poet Laureate Gwendolyn Brooks, the Illinois Emerging Writers Competition provides a unique opportunity and outlet for recognizing new literary talent in the state. The competition is open to Illinois residents age 18 and over, and has an annual entry deadline of June 30.
Cash prizes are awarded for first ($500), second ($300) and third place ($100), and winning poems are submitted for possible publication in Illinois literary magazines, including:
2022 Illinois Emerging Writers Competition – Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Award
The entry deadline is June 30.
2021 Illinois Emerging Writers Competition – Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Award Winners
- 1st - April R. Gibson of Chicago for her poem Superstar
- 2nd - Aiman Ghani of Chicago for her poem Mera Asmaan
- 3rd - Joanne Hsu of Naperville for her poem Abacus
2021 Judges
- Naoko Fujimoto
- Nestor Gomez
- Gwendolyn Harrison
- Allan Johnston
- Gloria Kroc
- Pat Morin
- Rashidah Muhammad
- Julia Nephew
- Rodd Whelpley
Final Judge: Angela R. Jackson, Illinois Poet Laureate
2020 Illinois Emerging Writers Competition – Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Award Winners
- 1st - Pyllis Natanek of Seneca for her poem Gray Legions
- 2nd - Jerrold M. Levy of Deerfield for his poem Pandemica
- 3rd - Joanne Hsu of Naperville for her poem Philately