Leslie McGrath Poetry Prize

2022 Winner

And He Takes and He Takes and He Takes || Nikki Ummel

2022 Runner-Up

Demeter in the Valley || Susan Gubernat

Leslie McGrath Poetry Prize
Prize: $1000 and publication in Helix magazine
2023 Judge: Ben Grossberg
Submission open from November 4th, 2022 to April 10th, 2023.

In honor of beloved poet and educator, Leslie McGrath, The Helix is launching a poetry contest. McGrath, who unfortunately passed in August 2020, was the author of three poetry collections: Opulent Hunger, Opulent Rage (2009), Out From the Pleiades (2014), and Feminists Are Passing From Our Lives (2018). She also won the Pablo Neruda Prize for Poetry as well as the Gretchen Warren Prize from the New England Poetry Club.

Follow these links for more information on Leslie McGrath:

Interview with The Nervous Breakdown
McGrath’s Poetry

Writers may submit one poem of any length or style. The judge will select one winner and one finalist, who will have their work published on the Helix website, as well as in the print annual. In conjunction with this, the winner will be invited to an event at CCSU.

First place will receive $1000. One finalist $100. Reading fee $10.
Poetry must be set in 12 pt Times New Roman font and should be single-spaced.
Submissions must be previously unpublished.

Any questions regarding the contest can be directed to helixmagazine@gmail.com
We look forward to reading your submission.

2023 Leslie McGrath Poetry Prize Judge

Benjamin S. Grossberg’s latest book, My Husband Would (University of Tampa, 2020), won the 2021 Connecticut Book Award. His other books include Space Traveler (University of Tampa, 2014) and Sweet Core Orchard (University of Tampa, 2009), winner of the 2009 Lambda Literary Award for poetry.