Donald Justice Poetry Prize

The Donald Justice Poetry Prize is an American national competition sponsored by the Spencer Poetry Awards of the West Chester University Poetry Center which Kean W. Spencer created in honor of his mother, Iris N. Spencer. The prize recognizes the distinguished American poet, teacher, and Pulitzer Prize winner, Donald Justice. The WCU Poetry Center welcomes submissions of unpublished, original book-length manuscripts that pay attention to form for consideration in this competition. 

The submissions are judged blindly and selected by a notable poet who works in traditional forms. Past judges have included Major Jackson, Patricia Smith, Cornelius Eady, Erica Dawson, David Mason, A. E. Stallings, and Marilyn Nelson.

The winner receives $1,500 and will have the manuscript published. Prior to 2018, winning poetry collections were either published by Measure Press or West Chester University.