The Andrés Montoya POetry Prize
The Andrés Montoya Poetry Prize supports the publication of a first full-length book of poems by a Latinx poet residing in the United States. Established in 2004 by Letras Latinas at the University of Notre Dame’s Institute for Latino Studies, the prize is now administered by the Huizache Literary Initiative at UC Davis.
The winning poet will receive $1000 from the Huizache Literary Initiative and a contract from University of Nevada Press as part of its New Oeste Series. Upon publication of the winning book, the Huizache Literary Initiative will extend an invitation to both the winner and the judge to give a joint reading at UC Davis. In addition, Letras Latinas will extend an invitation to the winner to present their work at the University of Notre Dame.
The Andrés Montoya Poetry Prize is awarded every other year. There is no entry fee. Submissions will open on November 1, 2023.
The deadline is February 16, 2024
Judge: Juan Felipe Herrera
Submit
About the Prize
The Andrés Montoya Poetry Prize was created in 2004 by Letras Latinas, the literary initiative of the Institute for Latino Studies at the University of Notre Dame to honor Montoya and his work. Founding coordinator Francisco Aragón wrote about the formation of the prize in 2007 on the Letras Latinas blog.
Created at a time when publishing opportunities for Latinx poets were few, the Andrés Montoya Poetry Prize established itself as a key outlet for emerging Latinx poets. Winners have reflected a broad range of backgrounds and aesthetic styles and have gone on to prolific and decorated careers. Judges of the Andrés Montoya Poetry Prize have included the most prominent voices in Latinx literature, including current U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón, National Book Award winner Martín Espada, and foundational poets such as Francisco X. Alarcón and Rhina P. Espaillat. The judge for the upcoming prize will be Juan Felipe Herrera, former California and U.S. Poet Laureate as well as one of Andrés’s mentors.
The Prize provides a space for artists who, while part of the largest and fastest growing minority in the United States, are also increasingly diverse in their modes of literary expression. The prize, therefore, does not privilege any particular style, subject matter, or aesthetic.
Winner 2004
selected by Robert Vazquez
Winner 2006
selected by Valerie Martínez
Winner 2008
selected by Martín Espada
Winner 2010
selected by Silvia Curbelo
Winner 2012
selected by Francisco X. Alarcón
Winner 2014
selected by Rhina P. Espaillat
Winner 2016
selected by Edwin Torres
Winner 2018
selected by Ada Limón
Winner 2020
selected by John Murillo
Winner 2022
selected by Alexandra Lytton Regalado and Sheila Maldonado
Gabriel Gomez 2006
Paul Martínez Pompa 2008
Emma Trelles 2010
Laurie Ann Guerrero 2012
David Campos 2014
Felicia Zamora 2016
Heidi Andrea Restrepo Rhodes 2018
Darrel Alejandro Holnes 2020
Heidi Andrea Restrepo Rhodes 2018
2024 Prize will open for submissions soon
Deadline: February 16, 2024
Judge: Juan Felipe Herrera
Andrés Montoya Creative Writing Scholarship
Fresno State
The Andres Montoya Memorial Creative Writing Scholarships are awarded annually by the Montoya family through the Master of Fine Arts Program in Creative Writing and the Fresno State Foundation. Two scholarships (one at the undergraduate and one at the graduate level) of $500 are awarded each fall to students who demonstrate significant interest in Chicano culture and/or history and who are pursuing a career in the field of creative writing. Recipients must be enrolled at California State University, Fresno during the award year. Selections are based on talent and financial need.
Past winners have published widely. Click the names below or the books at right to learn more about these writers.
David R. Carrasco Gomez, Hermelinda Hernandez Monjaras, Victoria Monsivaiz, Aidan Castro, Mariah Bosch, Michael Cantú, Kirk Alvaro Lua, Carolina Mata, Javier Lopez, Alexandra Carrillo, Arthur Morales, Christina Legler, Tatiana Gómez, Mireyda Barraza Martinez, J.J. Hernandez, Jackie Huertaz, Teresa S. Chacón, Jessica Santillan, Steven Sanchez, Cynthia Guardado, Alejandro Lara, Alvaro Huerta, Mario Rosado, Erin L. Álvarez, David Campos, Juan Luis Guzmán, James Espinoza, Emily Tallman, Nancy Hernandez, Irene de la Vega, Michael Luis Medrano, Marisol Baca, Marie Chan, Kenneth R. Chacón, James Pablo Tyner, Cecile Lopez
The Ghetto Exoricst (2009), a chapbook by James Tyner, first poet laureate of Fresno and 2001 winner as an undergrad.
Born in the Cavity of Sunsets (2009) by 2000 and 2002 winner, Michael Luis Medrano.
Furious Dusk (2015) by David Campos, the first Fresno-based poet to win the Andrés Montoya Poetry Prize. He also won the scholarship as an undergrad in 2009.
The Cholo Who Said Nothing (2016) by 2001 winner, Kenneth R. Chacón.
Endeavor (2017) by 2010 and 2011 winner, Cynthia Guardado.
Photographs of our Shadow (2017), a chapbook by 2012 winner, Steven Sanchez.
Tremor (2018) by Fresno City College English professor, Marisol Baca. She won the scholarship in 2002 and 2003.
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