Callum Macdonald Memorial Award 2013
- The closing date for the award was 28 March 2013.
The annual Callum Macdonald Memorial Award is for the publisher of an outstanding example of pamphlet poetry. The pamphlet or its publisher will have a connection with Scotland or Scottish culture.
- Download the 2013 award application form (PDF) (77 KB; 2 pages)
Established in 2001 in memory of Callum Macdonald MBE, Scottish literary publisher and founder of Macdonald Publishers and Printers, this award was created to encourage, recognise and reward the publication of poetry in pamphlet form.
In rewarding a publisher, rather than a poet, it is a unique award in Scotland.
The Callum Macdonald Memorial Award is supported by the Michael Marks Charitable Trust. The award is administered by the National Library of Scotland.
The prize
The publisher of the winning pamphlet will receive a cheque for £800 and will hold the Callum Macdonald Quaich for 12 months.
The judges may also wish to award a runner-up prize.
The poet of the winning pamphlet in 2013 will be eligible for a separate prize, supported by the award's sponsors, as the Michael Marks Poet in Residence for two weeks in July 2013 at Harvard University's Center for Hellenic Studies in Greece.
The judging process
The judging panel will meet to decide on a winner in April 2013.
The panel of judges for 2013 is made up of:
- A representative from the world of contemporary Scottish poetry, currently the poet Lesley Duncan, Poetry Editor of 'The Herald'
- A representative of the Scottish printing industry, currently Tom Dalgleish, formerly of Macdonald Publishers and Printers
- Callum Macdonald's widow, the poet Tessa Ransford OBE
- The publisher of the 2012 winning pamphlet, Alistair Peebles of Brae Editions.
The judging will consider the pamphlet as a complete entity, taking account of the quality of the poetry, the design, and the physical production.
A shortlist of pamphlets will be announced after the judging.
The decision of the judging panel is final and no correspondence regarding the pamphlets, shortlist or winner will be considered.
The award ceremony
The award ceremony will be held in May 2013 at the National Library of Scotland. All entries will be displayed at the awards ceremony.
For the 2013 competition, all those who enter will be invited to attend the ceremony. Poets are usually asked to read from the shortlisted pamphlets.
The winner of the award will not be known before the announcement at the ceremony.
Applications should be sent by 28 March 2013 to:
The Events Officer
External Relations
The Callum Macdonald Memorial Award
National Library of Scotland
Edinburgh
EH1 1EW
If you have any further enquiries, or would like a paper copy of the application form, please contact NLS: phone 0131 623 3734 or email events@nls.uk.
Visit the Scottish Poetry Pamphlet website for further information on pamphlet poetry.
CMMA winners
2012:
- Alistair Peebles for 'Ecstatics, a language of birds' by Lesley Harrison — Brae Editions
2011:
- Hamish Whyte for 'Figure in a landscape' by Anna Crowe: publisher — Mariscat Press
2010:
- Christine de Luca for 'Arc O Möns' by Christie Williamson: publisher — Hansel Cooperative Press
- Leonard McDermid for 'And for that minute': publisher — Stichill Marigold Press
2009:
- Hugh Bryden for 'Postcards from the hedge' by Hugh McMillan: publisher — Roncadora Press
2008:
- Hazel Cameron for 'The currying shop': publisher — Imago Media
- Duncan Glen for 'Edinburgh poems': publisher — Akros
2007:
- Maureen Sangster for 'Menopausal bedtime rhymes': publisher — Bourtree
2006:
- Pauline Prior-Pitt for 'North Uist sea poems': publisher — Pauline Prior-Pitt
2005:
- Gill McConnell for 'Garden party': publisher — Woodburn Press
2004:
- Gerry Cambridge for 'Blue sky: Green grass': publisher — North Ayrshire Council / SAC
2003:
- Willie Hershaw for 'Winter song': publisher — Touch the Earth Publications
2002:
- James Robertson for 'Stirling sonnets': publisher — Kettillonia / Smith Art Gallery and Museum
2001:
- John B Pick for 'Now': publisher — Drumlins Press