‘Gulf Coast’ Launches New Prize for Poetry Translations

Gulf Coast magazine just announced that they’re accepting entries for their inaugural “Gulf Coast Translation Prize”:

gulf_coast_journalAccording to the magazine’s blog:

Gulf Coast is now accepting entries for the inaugural Gulf Coast Translation Prize. In 2014, the contest is open to poetry in translation. The winner receives $1,000 and publication in the journal. Two honorable mentions will also appear in issue 27.2, due out in April 2015. All entries will be considered for paid publication on our website as Online Exclusives.

They add that this year’s judge will be:

Jen Hofer, a Los Angeles-based poet, translator, social justice interpreter, teacher, and urban cyclist. Jen Hofer is co-founder with John Pluecker of the language justice and literary activism collaborative Antena.

Contest managers ask for up to five pages of poetry translated into English, adding that “preference will be given to contemporary work published within the last fifty years.” Entrants must also include the poems in their original language, a brief synopsis of the author you’re translating, and some proof of permission to publish the translation.

The catch:

Entrants to this contest must pay either $17 or $15 (there’s different information on different pages). Since poets and translators don’t make for the wealthiest combination, will anyone enter this contest?

You should go ahead, if you don’t mind the fee.