Irvine, California, United States
December 30, 2025
Irvine, California, United States: River Paw Press is delighted to announce the winners of the 2025 Silent River Poetry Prize, recognizing poetry chapbooks marked by depth, literary excellence, and quiet strength.
Judges: The 2025 Silent River Poetry Prize was judged by Candice Louisa Daquin and Kalpna Singh-Chitnis.
🏆Winner — One Thousand Origami Paper Cranes Fly Away — Martin Willitts Jr.
Martin Willitts Jr. is the longtime editor of The Comstock Review and an award-winning poet whose work has received numerous national and international honors, including the Dylan Thomas International Poetry Contest and multiple Rattle Ekphrastic Challenge awards. He is the author of more than two dozen chapbooks and full-length collections, widely respected for his sustained literary contribution.
Prize and Recognition: The Winner receives a total prize value of $500, including a cash honorarium, a Certificate of Excellence, and a standard marketing package. The winning chapbook will also be published by River Paw Press.
🥈 Finalist — Hutsulka — Nicole Yurcaba
Nicole Yurcaba is a Ukrainian American poet, professor, and book reviewer whose work engages deeply with history, identity, and cultural memory.
Recognition: The Finalist receives a Certificate of Distinction and formal recognition through the official press release and social media announcements.
🥉Semi-Finalist — Dead Boys I Have Known — Joanna Grant
Joanna Grant has lived and worked internationally, teaching college courses to deployed American service members. Her poetry and prose have appeared widely, reflecting a global perspective shaped by travel and service.
Recognition: The Semi-Finalist receives a Certificate of Merit and formal recognition through the official press release and social media announcements.
PublicationPublication under the Silent River Poetry Prize is awarded exclusively to the winning chapbook. River Paw Press retains full editorial discretion to extend publication to a finalist or semi-finalist title in exceptional cases, based solely on literary merit and alignment with the press’s publishing vision. Such consideration is not automatic and remains independent of prize designation.
In 2025, in recognition of the exceptional strength of the selected manuscripts, River Paw Press is pleased to offer publication to the Finalist and Semi-Finalist chapbooks as well. All three chapbooks will be published by River Paw Press in Spring 2026.
We congratulate the winners and thank all poets who submitted their work and contributed to the success of the 2025 Silent River Poetry Prize.
CONTACT
PR River Paw Press
Email: pr(dot)riverpawpress(at)gmail.com
Website: www.riverpawpress.com
