English Doctoral Student's Latest Literary Prize Sets the Stage for Her Second Poetry Collection

Jane Huffman is a multi-award-winning poetry doctoral student in the Department of English at the University of Denver (DU), part of the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences. Her debut work, “Public Abstract,” was awarded the 2023 American Poetry Review Honickman First Book Prize, a prestigious award that offers official publication, a $3,000 award, and distribution by Copper Canyon Press through Consortium.  

More recently, Vanderbilt University awarded Huffman the 2026 Literary Prize for her second poetry collection, “Dilemma.” The award is one of highest achievements in the field for a single collection of poetry, and it's granted to the author of a full-length poetry collection that reflects "... [Vanderbilt] University’s ongoing commitment to discovering new voices and supporting the arts as transformative and essential to society." 

"Dilemma” will be published in print, electronic, and audio formats in 2027 by Vanderbilt University Press, and Huffman will receive a $10,000 honorarium as well as an invitation to read her work at Vanderbilt University as part of the Gertrude C. and Harold S. Vanderbilt Reading Series. She will also receive a one-week residency to engage with students and local writers on Vanderbilt's campus.  

“I’m delighted and honored to have my book recognized by series editor Major Jackson, as well as by the tremendous editorial board, which is comprised of so many poets I admire,”  she said. 

Publishing Poetry 101

Huffman also reflected on the unique process of getting a book of poetry published: "It’s a strange business. We seldom get agents, so we’re usually responsible for sending out our manuscripts to publishers ourselves," Huffman said. "I sent out my first poetry collection, in various forms, for about five years before winning my first award, hoping that it would find the right reader at the right press. This time, the process was the same, though it didn’t take quite as long.”  

While moving through the rigorous publishing process and pursuing her doctoral degree, Huffman also works as associate director of communications on DU’s advancement team and serves on the editorial team at the Denver Quarterly, DU’s literary magazine. She offers advice to peers who are aiming for similar goals for publication of their works.  

“Be persistent. You must trust the importance of your work and keep doing it,” she said. “Try to strike a healthy balance between building a career and cultivating a personal relationship to the craft that isn’t tied to recognition, money, or external success.” 

Literature in Everyday Life

Huffman's poems in "Dilemma" attempt to communicate how thinking shapes decision-making, perception and perspective, which in turn shape life and sense of self. Innovative and precise, Huffman's work is also an examination of the purpose of literature in everyday life, exploring what poetry does and why.  

Huffman frequently writes about "embodied experiences," further described by the author as the way her body feels or reacts as it moves through the world: “I’ve dealt with a lot of physical and mental illness throughout my life. I hope that my reflecting on these experiences makes for interesting poems,” Huffman said. 

According to the author, "Dilemma" represents "what spilled over the edges" from her graduate studies – carefully derived from lived experiences and ideas from her time at DU. Before the book is released in 2027, poems from “Dilemma” will be published in various national literary journals in 2026, including The New Yorker.  

Huffman extends her gratitude to DU’s creative writing faculty for their continuous and enthusiastic support, citing mentorship from English professors Graham Foust, Jennifer Soong, Bin Ramke, and W. Scott Howard. 

“The faculty in the English department are tremendous mentors and role models. They care deeply about their students, as scholars and artists but also as human beings,” Huffman said. “They are interested in producing well-rounded, curious readers and writers..."

Read the press release from Vanderbilt University about Huffman's recent award here.