Maria McLeod’s poem “A Destiny We Welcomed” receives Fish Poetry Prize

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Maria McLeod's poem "A Destiny We Welcomed" receives Fish Poetry Prize

June 1, 2026

Chosen from 1,706 submissions, Associate Professor of Journalism Maria McLeod's poem, "A Destiny We Welcomed," earned second place in the international Fish Poetry Prize, judged this year by former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins.

McLeod expressed her honor and surprise at being recognized by such an esteemed poet.

"I am, of course, honored and stunned to have been chosen by one of America's most accomplished and widely recognized poets," she said.

The Fish Poetry Prize, organized by Fish Publishing, is a renowned international contest that began in 1994 and has grown from its Irish roots to welcome global participation. The competition typically draws 1,500 to 2,300 entries from around the world each year and is regularly judged by celebrated literary figures, including Collins and, in previous years, Frank McCourt.

The Fish Anthology 2026 will feature her poem alongside the top ten entries in each competition category. The award also includes a €300 prize, a complimentary Fish Publishing course, and an invitation to read at the West Cork Literary Festival in July.

This recognition adds to a string of accolades for McLeod, who has received multiple Pushcart Prize nominations in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, as well as a Best of the Net nomination. In 2020, former Oregon State Poet Laureate Kim Stafford selected McLeod's chapbook "Mother Want" for the WaterSedge chapbook prize.