Telluride Lit Fest: Fischer Prize Winners Announced

14 May Telluride Lit Fest: Fischer Prize Winners Announced

Rosemerry Trommer and Art Goodtimes, co-directors of the Telluride Institute’s Talking Gourds program, announce the winners of Fischer Prize and Cantor Prize, chosen by judge Joan Logghe of New Mexico and featured at the Telluride Literary Arts Festival. (Go here for more on Lit Fest and featured author Craig Childs.)

First Place: Michelle Bitting, “Everything Crumbling Becoming Something New.”

Finalists: D. Baker,  “Breathing Water, Swimming Air”;
Elizabeth Jacobson,  “Birds Eating Cherries From the Very Old Tree”;
Claire Blotter, “Rocking”; Jane Hilberry, “Poem Beginning with a Line from Paul Monette”; Jose A. Alcantara, “Lady in Rags.”

Bitting won $1,000, plus a $500 travel stipend. She will be at Lit Fest  to read her poem at the Award Ceremony, Saturday, May 19, 2 p.m. The finalists all receive $200 and an invitation to read, plus a $100 travel stipend if they attend Lit Fest.

The  first ever Cantor Prize was awarded to the best poem submitted by a poet from Colorado, went to Jane Hilberry.

The prize is made possible through the support of the Telluride Institute and generous private donations.

Join the poets and at Lit Fest, which includes performances, workshops, open readings and more, all free except for Literary Burlesque.

Enter the poetry contests next year: new judge, new playing field, and your  new poems to send out into the world.