Uncategorized | September 23, 2016

During the next few weeks, we’re featuring the three winners of last year’s Editors’ Prize, Genese Grill (creative nonfiction), Phillip B. Williams (poetry), and Emma Törzs (fiction). Today we’d like you to meet Phillip B. Williams.

Our 26th Annual Jeffrey E. Smith Editors’ Prize deadline is just days away. Enter today for your chance at our three $5,000 prizes.

Phillip and intern Katie McGinnis visit the photobooth

Phillip says, “Winning the Editors’ Prize means to me time to write and not worry about what’s next. I am preparing for a major transition that requires me moving across several states yet again and the money from this prize will help me to sustain myself during that strange intermediate period where housing and work are simply not present. When I received the email saying that not only had I been chosen but that the decision was final, my mouth dropped and I cursed aloud something that I cannot share here. It was a very joyful time and a huge relief as I looked over student loans and credit card bills demanding payment. The Jeffrey E. Smith Editors’ Prize gave me a second wind. It gave me permission and possibility.”

Listen to Phillip read his prize-winning poems at our Editors’ Prize Reception:

Phillip ‘s poetry collection Thief in the Interior (Alice James Books).

Phillip B. Williams is a Chicago, IL, native and author of the poetry collection Thief in the Interior (Alice James Books). He is currently visiting professor in English at Bennington College.