The Iowa Poetry Association, Inc (IPA) announces the publication of its annual poetry anthology Lyrical Iowa 2025, Our 80th Year. The poems included within these pages are finely-crafted and engaging works submitted by poets of all ages from across our state; they touch on a wide range of subjects and themes and evoke myriad emotions.
Poems for the anthology are selected from submissions to the annual Lyrical Iowa Competition. Membership is not a requirement for having poetry included in the anthology, and there are no entry fees. Contestants need only reside in Iowa. The Iowa Poetry Association has about 310 members across the state.
Besides those awarded cash prizes or honorable mentions in the seven adult categories and four student divisions, many other top-ranking poems are showcased in this 172-page book with full-color cover. This year, a total of 300 poems was selected from about 2,000 entries submitted to IPA’s 2025 contests, including six Pushcart Prize nominations. Entries came from 70 of Iowa’s 99 counties, sent by persons aged from 6 to 102.
Books may be ordered from IPA while the supply lasts. Cost is $15 per copy (plus shipping) to anywhere in the United States. Books from some previous years are also available. Check for details at iowapoetry.org or contact the editor at [email protected].
The mission of the Iowa Poetry Association, Inc, a non-profit organization, is to promote interest in and appreciation of poetry through opportunities for education, publication, writing, performance, and contests. IPA aims to serve Iowans of all ages, incomes, identities, and experience levels. Besides sponsoring the annual contests and new, exciting Slam competitions, IPA offers two workshops for poem critiques each year, as well as IPA LIVE!, a vibrant monthly program of online mini-workshops and readings. Among other events, IPA’s Palooza group presents Poetry on the Prairie in Perry, Nov 8-9, 2025, and Poetry Palooza, in Des Moines, April 17-18, 2026, this year featuring Martin Espada, Jewel Rodgers, Kimberly Blaeser, Iowa’s Jennifer L. Knox and Iowa emerging poet Kelli Lage. Events are free and open to the public.
Association executive officers include Dawn Terpstra of Lynnville, President; Heather Clark of Winterset, Vice-President/Historian; Barbara Edler of Keokuk, Secretary; Dawn Mumey of Bettendorf, Treasurer; and Marilyn J. Baszczynski of Earlham, Editor and Contest Chair.
“We are also excited to announce our 2026 Lyrical Iowa Competition,” Baszczynski added. “Adult contests include the Lucille Morgan Wilson Award, Grant Wood Country Poetry Prize, Haiku, Traditional Forms (ghazal, pantoum, sonnet, villanelle), National/World Events, Humorous Verse, and Poetry For Children.” Student divisions are College, High School, Middle School (5-8), and Elementary (K-4). Contest entries may be sent January 1 – February 28, 2026. Complete contest rules for adult, college, high school and grade school entries are available on their website at iowapoetry.org. There is no entry fee. For information on Slam Poetry competitions, see iowapoetry.org/slam.
Lyrical Iowa Competition 2025 Adult contest results
Lucille Morgan Wilson Award:
Judge – Christine Stewart-Nunez, Winnipeg, MB Canada (568 entries)
1st – Dawn Terpstra; Lynnville
2nd – Aaron D Wiegert; Des Moines
3rd – Shelly Reed Thieman; West Des Moines
1st HM – Douglas L Miller; Solon
2nd HM – Dale G Haake; Davenport
3rd HM – Heather Ann G Clark; Des Moines
Humorous:
Judge – Matt Mason, Omaha, NE (64 entries)
1st – Karen Schmitt; Solon
2nd – Milli Gilbaugh; Iowa City
3rd – Hilary Naab; Monticello
1st HM – Steven Thompson; Osage
2nd HM – Audrey Mueller; DeWitt
3rd HM – Alanna Clutter; Des Moines
Iowa Poetry Association-Poets published in Lyrical Iowa 2025 by County
(All poets listed have one poem selected for publication. If a poem won in a category, rank and category follow name)
JOHNSON:
Karen Schmitt, Solon – 1st Place, Poetry For Children
Also published: Tom Gingerich, Kalona; Patrick Hanson, North Liberty; Olivia Luhring, North Liberty; Lisa Magrane, North Liberty; Douglas L. Miller, Solon
CORALVILLE:
Janvier Abramowitz, Gavin Lover, Richard K. Wallarab, Danielle Zimmerman
IOWA CITY:
Jo Ann Benda – 3rd HM, Poetry For Children
Milli Gilbaugh – 2nd Place, Humorous Verse
Cecile Goding – 3rd HM, Traditional Forms
Carol Tyx – 2nd Place, National/World Events
Linda E Paul – 2nd HM, National/World Events
Also published: Philip Beck, Kathryn Chadima, David Duer, Tracy Edens, Brigittine French, Mary Jedlicka Humston , Susan J Koch, Liz Lynn Miller, Linda Muller, Patricia E. Noeth, Trudy Rosazza, Larry H Schroeder, Janet Skiff, Corinne Stanley
ABOUT THE IOWA POETRY ASSOCIATION: We were founded in 1945. Membership and contests are restricted to Iowa residents (see rules for student exceptions). We are a 501(c)(3) public charity. We are affiliated with the National Federation of State Poetry Societies and with the Academy of American Poets. Editorial staff: Marilyn J Baszczynski, editor-in-chief; Steven Rose & Jared Pearce, associate adult editors; Rustin Larson, college editor; Joy Lyle, high school editor; Della Weems, grade school editor.