UTSPS Book of the Year
Utah State Poetry Society Annual Book Award
In 1965 Nicholas Morgan and Paul Pehrson initiated a revolving fund to publish a book by the poet whom the Utah State Poetry Society, following a statewide contest, designated Utah Poet of the Year. Under the loving and artistic direction of Kathryn Kay the venture flourished and gained status as a prestigious annual publication. As production costs increased for this limited edition hardback printing, the UTSPS, assisted by the Utah Arts Council, supplemented the fund. Others have devoted time, talents and materials to sustain the dream. In 1985, Pearle M. Olsen, made a generous monetary donation. Subsequently, the Olsen family has made further contributions to ensure continuation of this unique publication.
| 2018 | Geraldine Felt | Dancing with Monarchs |
| 2017 | Anita Krotz | Crosswinds |
| 2016 | Duane (dee) Rygh | My Bright Red Scream |
| 2015 | Candy Lish Fowler | On a Road That Knows Me |
| 2014 | Joyce Webb Kohler | like water, like bread |
| 2013 | Jon Sebba | Yossi, Yasser, & Other Soldiers | 2012 | Dawnell Griffin | On Judgment Day |
| 2011 | Lee C. Snell | Night Wind Home |
| 2010 | Rosalyn Whitaker Ostler | Walking the Earth Barefoot |
| 2009 | Gail Schemmelfennig | The Frozen Kingdom |
| 2008 | Helen Keith Beaman* | Edges Disappear |
| 2007 | Ned Colwell Snell | Hand Me My Shadow |
| 2006 | Sue Ranglack | Shouting From the Book of Orange |
| 2005 | T Kevin Clark | Song of an Oquirrh Son |
| 2004 | Maurine Haltiner | A Season and a Time |
| 2003 | Judy Johns | If I Could Speak in Silk |
| 2002 | Evelyn Hughes* | Furnace of Affliction |
| 2001 | Rita Bowles | God in Assorted Boxes |
| 2000 | Kolette Montague | Easing Into Light |
| 1999 | Marilyn Bushman-Carlton | Cheat Grass |
| 1998 | Mikal Lofgren | Trudi Smiles Back |
| 1997 | Marilyn Darley Williams | The Red Rooster Cafe |
| 1996 | Nancy Hanks Baird | The Shell In Silk |
| 1995 | Elaine L. Ipson | Where Ghosts Are Garrisoned |
| 1994 | Muriel Heal Bywater | Stretching Toward Wild Swans |
| 1993 | Margaret Pettis | Chokecherry Rain |
| 1992 | Brad Roghaar | Unraveling The Knot |
| 1991 | Robert Frederickson | Being There |
| 1990 | Elaine Christensen | At The Edges |
| 1989 | Maryan Paxton* | Downwind Toward Night |
| 1988 | Sherwin W. Howard* | Sometime Voices |
| 1987 | Kathryn Clement | Riddlestone |
| 1986 | Dorothy Logan | Child In A Sculptured Bowl |
| 1985 | Patricia S. Grimm* | Timepiece |
| 1984 | Joyce Ellen Davis | In Willy’s House |
| 1983 | Bonnie H. Behunin* | Wake The Unicorn |
| 1982 | LaVon M. Carroll | The Shrouded Carousel |
| 1981 | Frank M. DeCaria | Songs Within The Sounds |
| 1980 | LaVerde M. Clayson* | Furrows Of Renewal |
| 1978 | Pearle M. Olsen* | Frame The Laced Moments |
| 1977 | Clarence P. Socwell | Intrinsic Tapestries |
| 1976 | Caroline E.Miner* | Lasso The Sunrise |
| 1975 | Helen Mar Cook | Shape Of Flight |
| 1974 | LeRoy Burke Meagher* | Beyond This Hour |
| 1973 | Geraldine R. Pratt | Bell On The Wind |
| 1972 | Maxine R. Jennings* | A Lamp To Shine |
| 1971 | Alice Morrey Bailey* | Eden From An Apple Seed |
| 1970 | Max Golightly* | A Morning of Taurus |
| 1969 | J. A. Christensen* | The Deep Song |
| 1968 | Betty W. Madsen* | The Amaranth |
| 1967 | Berta H. Christensen* | Walk the Proud Morning |
| 1966 | Lael W. Hill | A Legacy Of Years |
| 1965 | Vesta P. Crawford* | Short Grass Woman |
*deceased
Examples of poems from Book of the Year poets: UTSPS_BOY_Poems_List.pdf
