In celebration of National Poetry Month in April, the University of Nebraska Press (UNP) showcases its catalog of award-winning poetry collections by esteemed poets. Courtney Ochsner, the acquisitions editor at UNP, highlighted the significance of contemporary poetry in the Press’s offerings, stating, "Contemporary poetry is — and has been — an important and well-regarded part of UNP’s creative list." UNP collaborates with organizations such as Prairie Schooner and the African Poetry Book Fund to publish acclaimed poets, including former U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser.

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This year marks the 85th anniversary of UNP, which has a distinguished history in publishing. Their poetry imprints and series include the Ted Kooser Contemporary Poetry Series and the Raz/Shumaker Prairie Schooner Book Prize in Poetry Series.

Notable recent publications include:

- **“Death Does Not End at the Sea”** by Gbenga Adesina (2025), a debut collection that won the Raz/Shumaker Prairie Schooner Book Prize in Poetry and was longlisted for the 2025 National Book Award. Adesina addresses themes of ancestry and the African diaspora while living in the U.S.

- **“Mummy Eaters”** by Sherry Shenoda (2022), which won the American Book Award and Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poets. The work explores themes of mummification through a call-and-answer structure reminiscent of Coptic writing.

- **“The Gathering of Bastards”** by Romeo Oriogun (2023), which centers on African migrants and received the Nebraska Book Award and was a finalist for the Midwest Book Award.

- **“Cotton Candy”** by Ted Kooser (2022), a collection inspired by the transient nature of thoughts, for which Kooser, a Pulitzer Prize winner, was a finalist for the 2023 Midwest Book Award.

- **“Dear Wallace”** by Julie Choffel (2024), which connects her experiences with those of Wallace Stevens, reflecting on their shared time in Hartford, Connecticut.

- **“Jagadakeer: Apology to the Body”** by Lory Bedikian (2024), a tribute to lost loved ones that combines multiple poetic styles. This work also won the Raz/Shumaker Prairie Schooner Book Prize.

- **“All That Refuses to Die”** by Michael Imossan (2026), a reflection on African history and its influence on contemporary life, which received the Sillerman First Book Prize.

- **“Locomotive Cathedral”** by Brandel France de Bravo (2025), addressing pressing social and political issues through diverse poetic styles.

- **“Nine Persimmons”** by Kerry James Evans (2026), which reflects on personal and family history in the context of broader experiences traveling from the South to New York City.

- **“Old Rags and Iron”** by R.F. McEwen (2025), which portrays the working-class experience in various regions while reflecting McEwen’s own professional background.

These collections represent UNP's commitment to excellence in poetry and its support for both emerging and established voices.