The facts
The prize carries a US$2,000 award. Rosanna Warren judged the 2026 competition. [1][2]
Goodison’s book, published in 2025, reworks Dante Alighieri’s epic through Jamaican language and culture. Louise Bennett-Coverley, known as Miss Lou, takes the guide’s role associated with Virgil in the original. [1][2]
Arrowsmith Press presents the annual prize with the Derek Walcott Estate and Derek Walcott Festival. It recognizes a full-length poetry book by a living non-US citizen, published in the preceding calendar year. [1][2]
Still unconfirmed
- The jury’s exact announcement day and any presentation date were not verified.
Sources
References support the numbered facts above. Source checks: 29 Oct 2026, 00:57 UTC.
The event date records the dated publisher confirmation, not a claimed ceremony date. The prize recognizes the existing 2025 book, which is not described as newly published.
- Publisher’s confirmation of Goodison’s award
Carcanet Press · Primary source · 28 Oct 2026
The winning author’s publisher, not the awarding jury’s own website. Its confirmation and quoted judge’s statement are interested primary material.
- Independent Caribbean publication’s award report
NY Carib News · Reporting · 27 Oct 2026
Carib News Inc. is separate from the book publisher. Its report describes the same prize decision, not a second award.