“The annual creative writing contests in poetry and fiction are a great way for the English department to recognize the extraordinary writing talent that exists at Quinnipiac among students from all disciplines,” said Associate Teaching Professor of English.  

The Donald Hall Poetry Prize, named after former Hamden resident and past U.S. Poet Laureate Donald Hall, honors excellent student poetry. A panel of faculty judges selects the best submissions, awarding the top three winners cash prizes. The first-place poet will also have their work published in Montage, the university’s student-run literary and art magazine.

“We are always so impressed by the quality of the submissions we receive, which makes it very difficult to choose just a few winners,” Koo said.  

Similarly, the Wilder Fiction Prize honors student storytelling in tribute to Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and former Hamden resident Thornton Wilder. The competition recognizes the finest short fiction entries, with the winning piece also securing a spot in The Montage.

Both contests are open to all undergraduate students, with winners announced in April. Prize winners will be recognized and share their work at the annual end-of-semester Scinto-Engel Colloquium.  

Submissions for both competitions are due by Friday, February 14.  

For more information, students should contact Professor Jason Koo for the poetry prize or Professor Bessie Flores Zaldivar for the fiction prize.