Chipping at the lode

The Michael Marks Awards, which have been championing poetry pamphlets since 2009, challenge the notion that pamphlets only appeal to a niche readership. While contemporary anglophone poetry is often accused of losing a general readership, pamphlets continue to serve as a stepping stone to a full-length collection and offer a platform for emerging poets. However, this year's awards received fewer entries, raising questions about the state of small press poetry publishing and the visibility of prizes, poets, and publishers. Despite this, the entries for this year's awards were commendable and showcased the diversity and quality of small press poetry. The importance of pamphlets in literary culture is highlighted by their historical significance and their ability to provide a short sample of a poet's work. Overall, the Michael Marks Awards play a crucial role in recognizing and promoting the value of poetry pamphlets.