Announcing the 2026 Silent River Poetry Prize Winner and Official Selections
Semi-finalist Nancy Mohr’s Mute Gospel chapbook will be ready for publication in 2027 and available for purchase at that time on both Amazon and River Paw Press websites.
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Irvine, California — June 30, 2026
River Paw Press is pleased to announce the Winner, Finalist, and Semi-Finalist of the 2026 Silent River Poetry Prize (Chapbook).
This year’s competition brought together a remarkable collection of poetry chapbooks, each offering a distinct voice, perspective, and artistic vision. After careful reading, multiple rounds of evaluation, and thoughtful deliberation, River Paw Press is honored to recognize three manuscripts whose literary excellence, poetic language, and lasting resonance most closely reflect the vision of the prize.
The Winner, Finalist, and Semi-Finalist chapbooks will each be considered for publication by River Paw Press.
The 2026 Silent River Poetry Prize (Chapbook) was judged by Kalpna Singh-Chitnis, Poet, Filmmaker, and Founder and Publisher of River Paw Press.
Recognition
Winner: The Language of Wind Over Water — Ed Ruzicka
Finalist: The Staggering Sum — James Lilliefors
Semi-Finalist: Mute Gospel — Nancy Mohr
Citations by the Judge
The Language of Wind Over Water leaves a lasting impression through its contemplative vision, luminous poetic language, and profound exploration of the human spirit, consciousness, and impermanence. Through attentive observations of the lives and quiet world of egrets on water and in the marsh, the collection transforms moments of attention into meditations and reflections on our shared human experience, revealing the deep interconnectedness between the human spirit and the living world. Rich in quiet wisdom and emotional depth, it invites readers to experience life with greater awareness, compassion, and wonder.
The Staggering Sum distinguishes itself through its exceptional craftsmanship, poetic language, and emotional depth. With honesty, quiet courage, and a deep awareness of the world around us, the collection embraces vulnerability while reflecting on family, memory, our shared struggles, and the complexities of being human. Rich in insight and artistic precision, it transforms lived experience into poetry of lasting beauty and enduring resonance.
Mute Gospel carries a deeply rooted sense of place, lyrical exploration of inheritance, ecology, family, and the enduring spirit of rural America. With compassion, abiding hope, and emotional generosity, the collection embraces both the hardships and the simple joys of everyday life, reminding us that resilience often grows from our deepest connections to one another and to the land. Rich in humanity, warmth, and gentle wisdom, it celebrates the enduring strength of the human spirit while offering readers a work of lasting grace and affirmation.
