We’re pleased to announce the winner of the 2013 Emergence Chapbook Series Prize: Empty-handed by Scott Lowery of Rollingstone, Minnesota. We received a number of very good submissions; Lowery’s chapbook was chosen for its voice and for its reverent treatment of place and labor.
A second manuscript was also accepted for publication, apart from the Emergence Series: The World Is Not Altogether Bad by Mike Hazard. This chapbook, a collection of poem portraits of interesting people by an arch-filmmaker, was simply too good to pass up.
Both poets will read from their chapbooks at the Anderson Center Holiday Celebration of the Arts in Red Wing on Saturday, December 7th.
Lastly, we want to extend a special thank you to everyone who submitted chapbooks and to the Southeast Minnesota Arts Council for supporting this project. We were amazed at the range and accomplishment of the entries; the future looks promising for Minnesota poetry. And, speaking of the future, we will begin accepting new manuscripts for the 2014 Emergence Chapbook Series Prize in March.
Scott King
Red Dragonfly Press 
I have not found Mike Hazard to be an arch-filmmaker. Indeed, he has always seemed straightforward and good-hearted.
Congratulations to Mike and to Scott Lowery!
Thanks for your comment Mike. To clarify, I intended “arch” to mean “number one” or “preeminent” which corresponds, I think, with your “straightforward and good-hearted.”