Callum Macdonald Memorial Award 2011
- May 2011: The 2011 competition is closed. For details of the outcome, see the poetry pamphlet award winners news item.
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.
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.
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 £750 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 2011 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 2011 at Harvard University's summer school in Greece.
The judging process
Application forms are now available, and the closing date for the award is 28 March 2011.
The panel of judges for 2011 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, Director of Harveys (UK) Ltd
- Callum Macdonald's widow, the poet Tessa Ransford OBE
- The publishers of the 2010 winning pamphlets, Christine de Luca and Leonard McDermid.
Judging will take place in April 2011, when the judging panel meets to decide on a winner. The judging will take account of the quality of the poetry as well as the physical production of the pamphlet.
A shortlist of pamphlets will be announced after the judging.
The decision of the judging panel is final and no correspondence re the pamphlets, shortlist or winner will be considered.
The award ceremony
The award ceremony will be held on 19 May 2011 at the National Library of Scotland. All entries will be displayed at the awards ceremony.
All shortlisted publishers and their poets 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.
The application process
Publishers or pamphlets should have a connection with Scotland or Scottish culture.
Pamphlets should be:
- No less than six or more than 36 pages in length, not including preliminaries
- Bound with a limp cover, and folded, rather than case bound
- On any subject
- In any of the languages used in Scotland, with translations into English or Scots where relevant
- Published in the calendar year preceding the current award.
Publishers should complete the application form (PDF: 2 MB; 2 pages) and send it to the Administrator with:
- Four copies of up to three pamphlets
- A short note explaining the aims of the publication and the aesthetic choices made, outlining the connection with Scotland or Scottish culture.
A copy of each pamphlet will be added to the collections of the National Library of Scotland. Additional copies will be returned.
Applications should be sent by 28 March 2011 to:
The Administrator
The Callum Macdonald Memorial Award
External Relations Division
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 3842 or email events@nls.uk.
Visit the Scottish Poetry Pamphlet website for further information on pamphlet poetry.
CMMA winners
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