The LemonLight Prize
Shortlist 2026Fifty-one poets whose work will appear in The LemonLight Prize 2026 Anthology, and from whom Leila Chatti will select the overall winner and four honorable mentions in early August.
The Selection
From 706 entries and roughly 3,500 poems across eight countries, we announced a longlist of one hundred poets on 21 June. Over the two weeks that followed, that field was read again with sharpened attention. What follows is the fifty-one poets who make up the shortlist — the writers whose work will appear in the anthology, and from whose ranks the winner and four honorable mentions will be drawn.
Leila Chatti has been reading blind throughout. The list below reflects the work, not the names attached to it. Each of these fifty-one poems will be published in The LemonLight Prize 2026 Anthology, a limited edition of 250 copies, hand-bound and produced to the same standard as the press’s full publishing list.
Shortlisted Poets
Alphabetical by surname.
Toward the Winner
In early August, Leila Chatti will announce the overall winner ($2,000 and featured placement in the anthology) and four honorable mentions ($250 each and featured placement). All fifty-one shortlisted poets will appear in the anthology regardless of the final selection.
The anthology will be printed and mailed in September 2026 to shortlisted poets and to everyone who has pre-ordered a copy. A small number of anthology copies remain available.
Every poet on this list should be proud of the work. To the many hundreds not on it, thank you for entering — the standard this year was extraordinary. Submissions for the 2027 LemonLight Prize open in spring. Our open reading for full manuscripts is open year-round.