Utah's Best Poetry & Prose 2026

A curated collection of Utah literature

David Rodeback, the 2025 Writer of the Year, curated this selection of the region's most compelling literature. The volume gathers the year's best fiction, poetry, and personal essays under the banner of the League of Utah Writers. It showcases the breadth of talent within the local writing community. The anthology includes high-caliber pieces that earned recognition through prestigious state competitions.

A home for award-winning prose and poetry

This compilation serves as the official home for the winners of the Olive Woolley Burt Awards and the Typewriter Awards. These accolades represent the peak of achievement for Utah authors. The selection process filters through hundreds of submissions to find the most resonant voices in the state. Readers find a diverse range of styles and genres that represent the current state of Utah's literary scene.

Edmond A Porter's contributions

Edmond A Porter contributed two award-winning pieces to the 2026 collection. His work earned first place in the First Chapter Adult category for the novel Turbulent Waters. This segment introduces the historical tension of the Teton Dam collapse through a fictional lens. Additionally, his creative nonfiction piece "Twists of Fate" secured third place in the New Voices category. Both entries demonstrate the narrative depth and historical precision Porter brings to the page.