Announcing the Winners of the 2023 Kingfisher Poetry Prize!

A Crowning Achievement

It’s time to announce the winner and unranked honourable mentions of the 2023 Kingfisher Poetry Prize, with commentary from final judge Jude Neale!

Look for these high-flying poems, coming up in Issue 42, Spring 2024.

Winner: ‘Most of Your Stuff is Worthless’ by Leanne Boschman

~ “This poem speaks of weight and weightlessness that we live with. … A truly enchanting poem, always moving the reader along toward a surprising ending with a delicate twist.“

Honourable Mention: ‘The Dahlia Truth’ by Pattie Palmer-Baker

~ “This fresh and blooming poem can almost be read from end to beginning! It is dredged in colour and form.” 

Honourable Mention: ‘Kid Gloves’ by Marri Champie

~ “This poem speaks deftly and matter-of-factly of the aging process, particularly of the hands. But also of so much more.“

Thank you to all submitting poets for sharing your words and supporting Pulp Literature!

Thank you to Jude Neale, for lending your time and talent to the Kingfisher. And to our first judge, Emily Osborne, for compiling such a stellar shortlist.

Short-form writers, for your chance to appear in the magazine — and win $300! — enter the Bumblebee Flash Fiction Contest, opening January 1st!

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Meet Kingfisher Poetry Prize judge, Jude Neale!

Jude Neale is a master educator, Canadian poet, vocalist, spoken-word performer, workshop facilitator, and mentor. As well, she has written twelve collections of poetry. At eight years old, Jude had her first publication, when she won a CBC youth competition on travel. Fast forward a few years and now, coming in the fall, is her latest book, Water Forgets Its Own Name (Ekstasis Editions), a collaboration with the visual artist Nicholas Jennings. Jude’s poem ‘About Light’ appears in Pulp Literature Issue 13, and ‘Blaze of the Universe’ in Issue 37. Visit her at judeneale.ca.