THESE ARE HER THOUGHTS AS SHE FALLS

We are thrilled to present the winning collection for the inaugural Kari Ann Flickinger Memorial Literary Prize for 2023. Louise Longson’s collection “THESE ARE HER THOUGHTS AS SHE FALLS” was selected from over a hundred entries to the poetry chapbook prize.

In her comments, Guest judge Jessica Barksdale Inclán wrote ” As I read, I kept uncovering treasures from the manuscripts that Kari would have loved to mull over. I made notes: Some beautiful poems. Inventive. Packed with allusion. Smart. Wild flourishes. Noise. Fierce. References to mythology. Clear voices packed with some punch. Strong, deep themes. Smart and funny lines. Full stories from the first to last poem, these manuscripts were so consistently great, I couldn’t put them down until, well, there were no more to read, and I was left with the task of choosing. The winning manuscript These are her thoughts as she falls is rich with an overarching, deep with language but also full of mythology, water, fish, and folktales. As I read it, Kari cackled a little and nodded and said, “Yes, she said to me. “Exactly right.”

To read more about the collection and the poet and to pre-order your copy of Louise’s winning collection, please follow this link to Rare Swan Press.

Details about the release of the 2023 FINALISTS collections will be posted in the coming weeks.