The winning manuscripts were chosen from just over 200 manuscripts submitted. Each manuscript (first stripped of cover letters or any other identifiers, by a non-staff volunteer) screened by our staff editors, and the semi-finalists were then passed along to our final judge, Lola Haskins, whose role as our final judge remained secret(not only to contest entrants but even to the other SPP staffers!) Of our winning manuscript, Lola Haskins writes: "I love WHAT WE ALREADY KNEW because it does something very difficult, makes the human being behind it manifest. I admire its humility, its economy, its talented juxtaposition of simple words, and above all its air of compassion."

A big thank you to each and every poet who entrusted is with their work and made our second annual competition an even bigger success than the first. We can't wait to see these fabulous chapbooks in print, and we promise to keep you posted on our publication schedule!

Peace, and Happy Holidays to all!
Annie, Dennis, John Michael, Marita, and Lola