POEMS FROM THE 2026 MARSH HAWK POETRY PRIZE WINNERS

We are delighted to present two sample poems each by our prize winners Anne Champion, Eugene Gloria, and Cassie Burkhardt. They can be read at https://marshhawkpress.org/poetry-prize/2026-marsh-hawk-press-poetry-prizes/poems-from-the-2026-contest-winners/

MARK MELNICK ON BOOK COVER DESIGNS

Mark Melnick offers an insightful essay on book cover design and marketing as the July contributor to Marsh Hawk's "Chapter One" series. You can see his entire article HERE, but we present this excerpt because his experienced insight can be helpful to many authors:

"It is also important for authors to understand that 'graphic design' is very different from 'art.' I have worked with many authors — especially poets — who suggest a painting for their book’s cover. Often, that painting is very dense and complex (think Hieronymus Bosch), and the author will send me a lengthy explanation of their reasoning for using it, the meanings and resonances they see embedded in it, and how it reflects the text. Yet this misunderstands the purpose of a cover. A cover is not meant to be an analog to the text. A cover is not art, which is meant to invite introspection and contemplation, slowly over time. A cover is graphic design, which needs to do its job almost instantly — literally in one second. It is emotional, not intellectual."

To illustrate his points, Mark comments on the Marsh Hawk books of Eileen R. Tabios and Daniel Morris.

*

Mark Melnick began his graphic design career at Interview magazine while still in college, and went on to staff positions with Tibor Kalman/M&Co, Viking/Penguin, and Vintage/Knopf, before starting his own design studio in 2002. He has designed multiple career-spanning monographs for artists Chuck Close, Chip Kidd, and Duane Michals; has worked extensively with The Library of America and The Harvard Lampoon; and has designed dozens of covers for prize-winning playwrights through Theatre Communications Group.

2026 MARSH HAWK PRESS POETRY PRIZE WINNERS

 Congratulations to the winners of our annual poetry prizes judged by Denise Duhamel:

CONGRATULATIONS TO SANDY MCINTOSH!

Congratulations to Marsh Hawk Managing Editor Sandy McIntosh whose ESCAPE FROM THE FAT FARM has been shortlisted for the Eric Hoffer Grand Prize Book Award!

Info on Award: https://www.hofferaward.com/Eric-Hoffer-Award-grand-prize-short-list.html

Info on Sandy's Book: https://sandymcintosh.info

EILEEN R. TABIOS ON "CHAPTER ONE"

 You are invited to read about Eileen Tabios' experience as a newspaper poetry columnist, the latest contribution to Marsh Hawk Press' "Chapter One" series of essays by poets.

https://marshhawkpress.org/eileen-r-tabios-on-writing-a-newspaper-poetry-column-2/

LIZ ROSE SHULMAN on "CHAPTER ONE"

 You are invited to read Liz Rose Shulman's essay "The Green Notebook" as the February essay in Marsh Hawk Press' "Chapter One" series. You can see the essay HERE.

Liz Rose Shulman

R.I.P., ED FOSTER

 

From Marsh Hawk Press Managing Editor Sandy McIntosh:

Our greatly admired colleague, Ed Foster, a past member of the Marsh Hawk Editorial Board and the founder of Talisman Books and magazine, has passed away.

We greatly appreciate the guidance he gave Marsh Hawk from its early days, as well as the time he spent as an active editor. Several of his poetry collections published by Marsh Hawk remain in print.

I believe you’ll agree with me that he will be missed.

On Ed Foster: https://talismanbooks.org/Edward-Foster