AN OPEN LETTER regarding the kenyon review prize in poetry

In 2000, with an invitation from Zoo Press Editor Neil Azevedo, The Kenyon Review agreed to sponsor the Kenyon Review Prize in Poetry for a First Book. As poetry editor of the magazine, I consented with pleasure to serve as final judge for the contest – an annual award to recognize and publish a poet’s first collection. The plans for the press were ambitious: The Paris Review would sponsor a book prize to be given to any poet, previously published or not; Parnassus would sponsor a criticism prize; and Zoo Press would publish other books of drama, fiction, and poetry.

I am proud of the books selected for the Kenyon Prize—books by Beth Ann Fennelly, Christopher Cessac, Randall Mann, and most recently Priscilla Sneff. The books have been handsome, widely reviewed, and well received.

Or three of them have been. Priscilla Sneff was awarded the 2004 prize, but her book has yet to appear. I wrote an introduction to O Woolly City – her brilliant, darkly adventurous book of lyrics – and a year ago The Kenyon Review published this introduction along with several of Sneff’s poems in preparation for an early 2005 publication of her book. Her book is still not available; nor is it in production. She has never received the substantial prize money ($3,500). She has heard nothing from Zoo Press for a year.

Neither have I. For the past year I have left many emails at Zoo Press’s address and at Mr. Azevedo’s address; I have left phone messages at his home and at the office; I have sent real-mail letters. I have received not a word from him or any associate.

Late last summer, in consultation with David Lynn, the editor of KR, I wrote a final letter to Zoo Press, dissolving our relationship with the Press and withdrawing from the awarding of this KR prize. We have never received an acknowledgment or other response.

I am sorry and disappointed on behalf of all the poets and readers who have been left in the dark, as I have been. I am bereft about the case of Priscilla Sneff. Here is a brilliant new poet, whose book remains in limbo, whose full appearance on the national scene has been delayed. If you are an editor looking for a great new book, contact Priscilla Sneff or me, care of The Kenyon Review, kenyonreview@kenyon.edu.

Over the past several years many literary contests have been operating under a cloud of suspicion and disillusionment. Zoo Press has only added to the problem.

Sincerely,

David Baker
Poetry Editor, The Kenyon Review