Department of English
Prizes
Fall 2023 Prizes
Rome Prizes
Topics must meet the approval of the English Department’s Committee on Prizes and Premiums.
David Rome
For the best lyric essay by a currently enrolled Brown undergraduate. This form includes essays written in poetical or experimental forms that emphasize artfulness.
Rose Low Rome
For the best poem or poems written by a currently enrolled Brown undergraduate.
Arlene Rome Ten Eyck & Peter H. Ten Eyck
For the best essay on literary theory by a currently enrolled Brown undergraduate.
SUBMIT YOUR WORK HERE
Deadline
Friday, December 1, 2023
Prizes
1st Prize TBD
2nd Prize TBD
Barbara Banks Brodsky Prizes
Barbara Banks Brodsky - Real-World Writing
Awarded to a full-time junior or senior. Submission may come from the spectrum of nonfiction: literary journalism, memoir, or narrative based on travel, science, history, and cultural critique. Submission should be limited to 3,000 words or less; can be a collection of brief pieces or one long piece.
Barbara Banks Brodsky - English
For the best essay on 20th-century English literature by a junior or senior
SUBMIT YOUR WORK HERE
Deadline
Friday, December 1, 2023
Prizes
1st Prize $800
Spring 2024
Preston Gurney Prizes
Topics must meet the approval of the English Department’s Committee on Prizes and Premiums.
Fiction
For the best essay of 5,000 words or less on any topic in literary criticism (fiction) by a senior
Poetry
For the best essay of 5,000 words or less on any topic in literary criticism (poetry) by a senior
Cultural Criticism
For the best essay of 5,000 words or less on any topic in cultural criticism by a senior
Deadline
TBD
Prizes
1st Prize TBD
2nd Prize TBD
Betsy Amanda Lehman '77 Memorial Award for Excellence in Journalism
There are two first prizes for this award. One is for print and/or online written journalism and one is for audio/video journalism. Entries for the latter must be accompanied by a written script. Pieces will be judged on the strength of their reporting and writing. You must be a Brown senior to enter. Your submission may include one longer feature or a collection of no more than three shorter pieces. Extensive journalism experience or extensive journalism coursework is not required.
Deadline
TBD
Prizes
1st Prize $750
1st Prize $750
The Casey Shearer Memorial Award for Excellence in Creative Nonfiction
Awarded to a full-time Brown junior or senior for creative nonfiction of 3,000 words or less. Submission can be a collection of brief pieces or one long piece.
Deadline
TBD
Prizes
1st Prize $1,000
2nd Prize $500
Rules
- One entry per competition. A separate entry form must be completed for each competition.
- Your name should not appear anywhere on the manuscript.
- The university reserves the right to withhold any award.
- Manuscripts will be read by a committee of faculty members in the English Department. The committee's decisions will be final.
- Essays that have previously received an English Department award are not eligible.
No hard copies or late submissions will be accepted.