Prairie Soul Poetry Prize
The Prairie Soul Poetry Contest celebrates the voices that rise from open skies, quiet horizons, and the inner landscapes of memory, resilience, and hope. Inspired by the words of Nebraska writer Willa Cather—“It takes a soul to love a prairie”—this contest seeks poems that capture the spirit of place and the depth of human experience, whether rooted in prairie soil or carried from far beyond.
We welcome submissions of original poetry that explore connection—to land, to history, to each other, and to the unseen forces that shape our lives. All forms and styles are welcome, from traditional to experimental, as long as the work speaks with authenticity and imagination.
Prizes:
First Place: A $500 cash award, publication in the Spring 2026 issue of The Gilded Weathervane, and a contributor copy.
Runners-up will receive Honorable Mention, publication in the Spring 2026 issue of The Gilded Weathervane, and a contributor copy.
All submissions will be considered for publication.
Submission Guidelines:
Submit up to 5 poems (no more than 10 pages total).
Previously unpublished work only.
Simultaneous submissions welcome; please notify us promptly if accepted elsewhere.
Entry Fee: $25.
Deadline: Feb. 1, 2027.
Let your words echo across the wide horizon—send us the poetry of your prairie soul.
Meet our Guest Judge:
Twyla Hansen
Twyla M. Hansen’s newest poetry book is Inventions of Love (2026, WSC Press). She is a Larksong Writers Place board member and was Nebraska State Poet from 2013 to 2018. Honors include the Nebraska Literary Heritage Award and the Nebraska Center for the Book President’s Award. Her writing is published in Hawk and Whippoorwill, Café Review, Briar Cliff Review, Oakwood, Prairie Schooner, South Dakota Review, More in Time: A Tribute to Ted Kooser, Nebraska Poetry: A Sesquicentennial Anthology 1867-2017, Academy of American Poets, Poetry Foundation, and more.