Best New Poets



The Best New Poets series consists of annual poetry anthologies, each containing fifty poems from poets without a previously-published collection. The first edition of the series appeared in 2005, and was published, as all later editions have been, by Samovar Press, and in 2006 the University of Virginia Press began distributing the anthology.

Selection & Editors
Poems are nominated for the series by creative writing programs and literary magazines, though poets can also self-nominate through an online submission system. The poems to be included in the anthology are selected by a guest editor. Previous guest editors include George Garrett (2005), Eric Pankey (2006), Natasha Trethewey (2007), Mark Strand (2008) and Kim Addonizio (2009).

Selected Poets
The series, begun by essayist and University of Virginia Lecturer Jeb Livingood, has published a number of notable poets since its inception, including Deborah Ager, Christina Duhig, Cynthia Lowen, Jennifer Militello, Kerri French, Seth Abramson, Stephanie Rogers, Rhett Iseman Trull, Anna Journey (2008 National Poetry Series winner), Zach Savich (2008 Iowa Poetry Prize winner), Michael McGriff (2007 Agnes Lynch Starrett Poetry Prize winner), Julie Larios (2006 Pushcart Prize winner), and recent Stegner Fellows Keith Ekiss, Robin Ekiss, Martha Greenwald, Dina Hardy and Peter Kline.

Critical response
According to The Virginia Quarterly Review: "The youthfulness of the anthology, combined with the wide scope of its contents, is apparent in the poems, which are edgy and daring. Emerging, whether intentionally or not, as a younger sibling to the Best American Poetry anthologies, this series breaks new ground and provides fresh treasures."

Poet and critic David Wojahn has said of the series, "It's a nervy thing for an anthology to label itself Best New Poets, but...this collection lives up to its name. It's a rich and readable selection, reflecting no party-line aesthetic, and attesting to the formidable promise of the emerging generation.'"

Of the 2006 edition, ForeWord Magazine wrote, "With an alert ear for new voices, this anthology offers a different kind of validation: that of being well-heard. The result is a vibrant smorgasbord...'"