Poetry:

My poem “Fairy Tale of Eternal Economic Growth” was awarded third prize by the Amy L. Dengler Award.

My poem “On Listening to Stravinsky’s Pulcinella” was awarded third prize by the Celebration of Life Award.

Finalist in General Poetry for the 2022 International Book Awards from American Book Fest.

In June, American Book Fest announced the winners and finalists of the 2022 International Book Awards.  Touch My Head Softly: Poems is Eileen P. Kennedy’s second collection of poetry.  It explores the anguish of Alzheimer’s disease for both the victim and the caregiving partner.  Literary Titan has described it as “emotionally charged poetry that explores life with observant poems that will appeal to anyone who loves inspired poetry.”  Kennedy’s earlier collection, Banshees (Flutter Press, 2015), was nominated for a Pushcart Prize and awarded second place for poetry in the Wordwrite Book Award Competition.

Jeffrey Keen, President and CEO of American Book Fest, said that this year’s contest yielded thousands of entries from authors around the world, which were then narrowed down to the final results.  Keen stated, “The 2022 results represent a phenomenal mix of books from a wide array of publishers.”  More information about the International Book Awards can be found at http://www.InternationalBookAwards.com.  American Book Fest covers books from all sections of the publishing industry—mainstream, independent, and self-published.

The International Book Awards are in their 14th year and the American Book Fest has presented to such well-known authors, sometimes early in their careers, as Clive Barker, Rhonda Byrne, Jude Deveraux, Pope Francis, Anne Geddes, Heather Graham, Sue Grafton, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Anne LaMott, Jon Land, Bruce Lipton, Mark Nepo, George Saunders, and Amy Tan.  More information about the International Book Awards can be found at: http://www.InternationalBookAwards.com.

Touch My Head Softly: Poems is Kennedy’s second collection of poetry.  It explores the anguish of Alzheimer’s disease for both the victim and the caregiving partner.  Literary Titan has described it as “emotionally charged poetry that explores life with observant poems that will appeal to anyone who loves inspired poetry.”  Her earlier collection, Banshees (Flutter Press, 2015), was nominated for a Pushcart Prize and awarded second place for poetry in the Wordwrite Book Award Competition. For more information: https://www.finishinglinepress.com/product/touch-my-head-softly-by-eileen-kennedy.

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Finalist for the 2018 Concrete Wolf Louis Award.

Second Prize in Penumbra Haiku Poetry Contest by the Tallahassee Writers Association.

Sky Blue Waters Poetry League, Award of Merit, “Peace Meal,” September 2000

Sky Blue Waters Poetry League, Award of Merit, “Vespers,” December 2000

Sky Blue Waters Poetry League, Honorable Mention, “Rabun County,” December 2000

Poetic License, Adult World Editor’s Pick, “Benediction,” January 2001

Sky Blue Waters Poetry League, Editor’s Choice, “Author.” January 2001

Sky Blue Waters Poetry League, Award of Merit, ”Benediction” February 2001.

Sky Blue Waters Poetry League, Award of Merit, “Infidelity,” February 2001.

Sky Blue Waters Poetry League, Editor’s Choice and Award of Merit, “ A Postcard View,” March 2001.

Northern Star, Honorable Mention “Our Time,”  April 2001.

Sky Blue Waters Poetry League, Award of Merit,” Summer Concert,” July 2001.

Sky Blue Waters Poetry League, Award of Merit, “Regrets,” August 2001.

California State Poetry Society, “Hope,” 2002.

Taproot Literary Review Awards, “Regrets,” 2003.

Fiction

Hodgepodge Short Story and Poetry Contest, Honorable Mention, “The Visit,” Fall 2000.