Et cetera : Iowa Poetry Association announces release of its 77th annual anthology

Benton County Resident Jan Logan, Van Horne, was published in the Iowa Poetry Association-Poets published in Lyrical Iowa 2022

The Iowa Poetry Association (IPA) announces the publication of its annual poetry anthology Lyrical Iowa. The poems in this year's edition of Lyrical Iowa are anchored in lived experiences, cultural memories, and hopes and dreams for the future, according to Editor Marilyn Baszczynski. The 2022 edition of Lyrical Iowa is IPA's 77th anthology.

"These poems weave through continuing crises (political, social, psychological, global) in search of balance, love, serenity, and detente, with skilled narratives, surprising images and even humor," Baszczynski said. "They are invitations to the reader to be open to new perspectives, to a change of heart. They are also reminders of our humanness and our need to stay connected: as a third-grader writes, 'When we're together / We're family.'"

Poems for the anthology are selected from among close to two thousand submissions each year to the Lyrical Iowa Competition. Membership is not a requirement for having poetry included in the anthology. Contestants need only reside in Iowa. The Iowa Poetry Association has close to 350 members across the state.

Besides those awarded cash prizes or honorable mentions in the seven adult categories and four student divisions, many other top-ranking poems are showcased in this 168-page book with full-color cover. This year, a total of 319 poems was selected from about 1,800 entries submitted to IPA's 2022 contests, including five Pushcart Prize nominations. Entries came from 122 towns in 71 of Iowa's 99 counties, sent by persons ranging in age from kindergartners to near-centenarians. [Editors: See list of contest winners attached; also attached for your convenience is a listing by county of winners and poets to be published in this year's anthology.]

Books may be ordered from IPA, while the supply lasts. Cost is $15 per copy (plus shipping) to anywhere in the United States. Books from some previous years are also available. Check for details at iowapoetry.com or contact the editor at ipa@iowapoetry.com.

The mission of the Iowa Poetry Association, a non-profit organization, is to promote interest in and appreciation of poetry among Iowans through educational opportunities, poetry writing contests and the publication of an annual anthology of Iowa poetry. Besides sponsoring the annual contests and new, exciting Slam competitions, IPA offers two workshops for poem critiques each year, as well as IPA LIVE!, a vibrant monthly program of online mini-workshops and readings. IPA will also be at Art on the Prairie in Perry, Nov 11-13.

Association executive officers include: Dawn Terpstra of Lynnville, President; Rodney Reeves of Burlington, 1st Vice-President; Heather Clark of Winterset, 2nd Vice-President/Historian; Barbara Edler of Keokuk, Secretary; Di Mathis of Ankeny, Treasurer; and Marilyn J. Baszczynski of Earlham, Editor and Contest Chair.

"We are also excited to announce our 2023 Lyrical Iowa Competition," Baszczynski added. "Adult contests include the Lucille Morgan Wilson Poetry Award, Grant Wood Country Poetry Award, Haiku, Traditional Forms (ghazal, pantoum, sonnet, villanelle), National/World Events, Humorous Verse, and Poetry For Children." Student divisions are College, High School, Upper Grades (5-8), and Lower Grades (K-4). Contest entries may be sent January 1 - February 28, 2023. Complete contest rules for adult, college, high school and grade school entries are available on their website at iowapoetry.com. There is no entry fee. For information on Slam Poetry competitions, see iowapoetry.com/slam.htm.

Also on the website: how to order books, winning poems, judges' page, Pushcart Prize nominees, resources for teachers, links to publication opportunities, workshop information, and more, all in support of Iowa poets. See iowapoetry.com.