The 2025-2026 Diann Blakely Emerging Poet Prize is Open for Submissions

The Creative Writing Program and the English Department are excited to announce that the competition for the Diann Blakely Emerging Poet Prize has opened for submissions!

The Diann Blakely Emerging Poet Prize for an Emerging Poet is granted annually by the Creative Writing Program at the University of Georgia. The competition is judged by that year's Diann Blakely Poet. The winner of the contest will receive $500 and their work will be published on the Blakely Archive.

Please visit blakely.uga.edu/emerging-poet-prize for full competition details & to submit your entry.

This year’s emerging poet will be selected by the 2025-2026 Diann Blakely Poet, Karla Kelsey.  Kelsey visited Athens as part of the 2025 UGA Spotlight on the Arts Festival. Visit the Blakely Archive to read more about Kelsey and engage with photos and recordings of the events during her visit.

Important Dates Competition closes at midnight (Eastern Standard Time) on Feb  28, 2026 Winning Poet will be announced on April 13, 2026