About UNH Poetry Awards & Prizes
Explore the awards, prizes, and publication opportunities supported by the Nossrat Yassini Poetry Festival. Each program recognizes emerging and established poets across New Hampshire and beyond.
Yas Press, housed in the University of New Hampshire’s English Department, publishes three books a year featuring the best poetry in New Hampshire: an anthology of poems by New Hampshire teens, an anthology of poems by USNH Students, and a previously unpublished poetry collection of extraordinary quality written by an emerging or established New Hampshire poet. These prize-winning publications are made possible through the generous support of the YAS Foundation in honor of poet and poetry lover, Nossrat Yassini. In addition, The Nossrat Yassini Poetry Prize—an annual award given each year to a first book published by a U.S. poet of extraordinary promise—is managed by the Press.
Managing Editor: Danielle Jones
Poetry Editors: M.P. Carver and Ashley Narsu
For all inquiries (including copyright permissions), please contact us at yas.fest@unh.edu
The Nossrat Yassini Poetry Prize | $10k Post-Publication Prize
Housed and managed by the University of New Hampshire’s English Department, the Nossrat Yassini Poetry Prize honors a first book published by a U.S. poet of genuine promise in the previous calendar year, as well as the press that brought the book into the world.
The winner of the Nossrat Yassini Poetry Prize will receive $10,000, a headline reading at the Nossrat Yassini Poetry Festival, and a national spotlight on their work.
Many poets labor for years to put their first book in reader’s hands, piling up submission fees and rejection slips rather than praise. Once publication day comes and goes, they often find themselves no more certain about their standing and audience, and a lot less sure what to do next. This award is meant to provide the encouragement and confidence to keep a poet with extraordinary potential going, as well as a monetary boost to give that poet a chance to breathe as they write their way into what's next. The Nossrat Yassini Poetry Prize is a reminder that the world needs your poems.
Named after poet and poetry lover Nossrat Yassini, this prize is intended to honor and support poets at the beginning of their careers with a substantial monetary prize and a national spotlight.
The poet receives:
- $10,000
- A headline reading at the Nossrat Yassini Poetry Festival in the spring, taking place at the University of New Hampshire
- Promotion of the poet and their book leading up to the Festival, and beyond
Any full-length poetry collection (48+ pages/with an ISBN) published in the previous calendar year (January 1 – December 31)
Entering the prize implies the author’s willingness to take part in the headline reading at the Nossrat Yassini Poetry Festival in April. The honorarium is awarded in exchange for/after appearing at the Festival. Please make sure you / your poet is available prior to entering the contest.
For a full list of guidelines and eligibility, visit our Submittable page.
The Granite State Poetry Prize | $5k Publication Prize
The Granite State Poetry Prize is a $5,000 publication prize given annually for a previously unpublished poetry collection of extraordinary quality written by an emerging or established New Hampshire poet. Housed and managed by the University of New Hampshire’s English Department, the Prize is made possible through the generous support of the YAS Foundation in honor of poet and poetry lover, Nossrat Yassini.
The winner of the Granite Poetry Prize will receive $5,000, book publication (20 copies + a standard royalty contract), a headline reading/book launch at the Nossrat Yassini Poetry Festival, and a national spotlight on their work.
A headline reading/book launch at the Nossrat Yassini Poetry Festival, taking place in April at the University of New Hampshire.
We are accepting previously unpublished, full-length poetry manuscripts by current New Hampshire residents engaged in ongoing literary work in the state, OR by poets with a personal history, identity, and/or manuscript that demonstrate a strong New Hampshire influence. You will be asked to submit a brief artist’s statement delineating your connection to the state.
Entering the prize implies the author’s willingness to take part in the headline reading at the Nossrat Yassini Poetry Festival in April. The honorarium is awarded in exchange for/after appearing at the Festival.
For a full list of guidelines and eligibility, visit our Submittable page.
The Wildcats Poetry Prize | $3k in Prizes + Publication
Funded by the YAS Foundation and managed by the University of New Hampshire’s English Department, the Wildcats Poetry Prize was created to promote and honor excellence in writing at the college level. Each year, students enrolled on any USNH campus are invited to submit their original poetry for a chance to be published in an anthology that will be housed in the library at the University of New Hampshire Durham. Two first and two second prize winners will be awarded $1,000 and $500 prizes respectively, and will read their winning poems at the Nossrat Yassini Poetry Festival in April.
Eligibility:
- Must be actively enrolled in classes at USNH (any campus)
- Must submit original writing that has not been previously published elsewhere. Any indication that AI has been used will result in your entry being disqualified.
- Must be willing to have your work appear in the USNH Anthology and, if chosen as one of the four prize winners, to read your winning poem at the Nossrat Yassini Poetry Festival in April. Honorariums are awarded in exchange for / after appearing at the Festival.
2025-2026
- Blake Harrsch
- Emory Stevens
- Ariana Cooney
- Hazel J. Hall
2024-2025
- Skylar Miklus
- Chloe Rattee
- Sarah Wood
- Cari Elizabeth Moll
2023-2024
- Julia Roch
- Ginger Schoff
- Caleb Jagoda
- Dan Harrison
The New Hampshire Teen Poetry Prize | $500 Prizes + Publication
Funded by the YAS Foundation and managed by the University of New Hampshire’s English Department, the New Hampshire Teen Poetry Prize was created to promote and honor excellence in writing at the high school level. Each year, students (ages 13-19) across New Hampshire are invited to submit their original poetry for a chance at publication, as well as three significant monetary prizes of $500 each. Grand prize winners will read their winning poems at the Nossrat Yassini Poetry Festival in April.
Must submit original writing in verse that has not been previously published elsewhere. May include, but is not limited to, free verse, formal poetry, prose poetry, song lyrics, and spoken word. Any indication that AI has been used will result in your entry being disqualified.
Must be willing to have your work appear in the Young Poets Anthology and, if chosen as a grand prize winner, to read your winning poem at the Nossrat Yassini Poetry Festival in April. The honorarium is awarded in exchange for and after the completion of appearance at the Festival.
