Hollis Summers Poetry Prize 2025 Winner: Larks, selected by Chanda Feldman

Y’all I’m so thrilled to announce Chanda Feldman selected my second manuscript Larks as the 2025 winner of the Hollis Summers Poetry Prize, and that Larks will be published by Ohio University Press (a press known for their African studies and Appalachian focus!) next year. Chanda wrote the most beautiful blurb for Larks, and I feel deeply seen and heard:

“Larks heeds the calls of the world—whether that beckoning sounds like bird chatter, orchestral music on the radio, or voices around the dinner table. As the book unfolds, it disrupts the integrity of childhood memory filled with the song and sights of natural wonder, in order to let family silences begin to speak. The present blurs necessitating a reconsideration of the past, mythos, and family. Even as these poems craft moments of lyric and sonic beauty they learn to integrate anger and lament. The soft and patient voice of these poems makes these meditations all the more piercing.”

I’m also so happy to report that our distribution kickstarter for River River Books has been fully funded (!!!), and that you can still nab a consultation or two with me here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hanvanderhart/river-river-books-poetry-distribution

Lastly, but not least: I sat with some students in the college library yesterday, and we wrote ekphrastic responses to the below photograph/portrait of Frida Kahlo and Chavela Vargas, who were lovers and artists both (the poet Emilia Phillips shared it with me!). Wishing you much joy and happiness, and maybe a little writing time today?!