Leslie Harrison Named Series Editor of the Akron Series in Poetry
The University of Akron Press is excited to announce Leslie Harrison as the series editor of the Akron Series in Poetry.
Harrison is the author of three books of poetry, Reck (The University of Akron Press, 2023) and The Book of Endings (The University of Akron Press, 2017), which was a finalist for the National Book Award. Her first book, Displacement (Mariner, 2009), won the Bakeless Prize in poetry from the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference. She has held fellowships from the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as the Philip Roth residency in poetry at Bucknell University.
The University of Akron Press is excited to announce Leslie Harrison as the series editor of the Akron Series in Poetry.
Harrison is the author of three books of poetry, Reck (The University of Akron Press, 2023) and The Book of Endings (The University of Akron Press, 2017), which was a finalist for the National Book Award. Her first book, Displacement (Mariner, 2009), won the Bakeless Prize in poetry from the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference. She has held fellowships from the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as the Philip Roth residency in poetry at Bucknell University.
“I am delighted to join The University of Akron Press as series editor,” said Harrison. “I have loved working with Akron as an author—the seriousness, talent and dedication of the team changed my life and gave me a model for citizenship and community in the literary world.”
Since its launch in 1995, the Akron Series in Poetry has championed distinctive poetic voices and fresh perspectives, including through its prestigious Akron Poetry Prize. The annual competition runs from April 15 through June 15 and is open to poets writing in English. The winning poet receives $1,500 and publication of their book in the series, with the final selection made by a nationally prominent poet.
Harrison succeeds Mary Biddinger, who served as poetry series editor for more than seventeen years. Under Harrison’s leadership, the series will continue its commitment to discovering and publishing poetry that expands our understanding of the world. Reflecting on her predecessor’s legacy, Harrison said, “I’ve been in awe of the work Mary Biddinger did with the Akron Series in Poetry. She’s an extraordinary editor. I cannot fill her shoes, but I can, I hope, walk alongside, learning from her choices as Series Editor, and finding, publishing and celebrating the best books of poems being written today.”
The University of Akron Press looks forward to working with Harrison to build on the series’ distinguished legacy and support its continued growth, bringing fresh energy to its enduring commitment to publishing exceptional poetry.
The University of Akron Press
The University of Akron Press is a small publisher of scholarly, literary and general interest books. Since 1988, the Press has published compelling works with regional and national significance. The Press is committed to the idea of scholarship as a public good and works collaboratively with its authors to produce books that meet the highest editorial and design standards.
The University of Akron Press is a member of the Association of University Presses.
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