RHINO Poetry

RHINO Poetry is a nonprofit literary organization headquartered in Evanston, Illinois, whose principal publication is the annual print journal RHINO. Founded in 1976 as an outlet for participants in Poetry Forum workshops, the organization initially served a local literary community before broadening its submissions and editorial scope to national and international poets in 2002. It now presents itself as a platform for emerging and established writers working in English, while also publishing poetry in translation and selected works of flash fiction and creative nonfiction. The annual RHINO journal is the organization’s central publishing program. A large editorial group selects work for each issue, and the publication generally combines contemporary poetry with translated poetry and other short literary forms. Approximately one year after an issue’s print release, the poems are made available through RHINO’s online archive. The archive provides public access to previously published work, with complete issues available for some recent years and prize-winning work highlighted in current online presentation. RHINO Poetry’s activities extend beyond print publishing. RHINO Reviews is a monthly online feature devoted to reviews of contemporary American poetry and poetry in translation. RHINO Reads! is a pop-up literary event series involving featured poets and open-mic programming, presented online or in the Chicago area. The organization also offers internships, the Helen Degen Cohen Summer Reading Fellowship, and several literary prizes. Its principal competitions and awards include the Founders’ Prize, the Ralph Hamilton Editors’ Prize, and a Translation Prize. Submissions are handled through Submittable during designated periods, with limits on monthly submissions. Founders’ Prize entries are also considered for publication and for the Editors’ Prize, while the translation award is selected from eligible submissions. The organization has received support from arts and literary funders including the Evanston Arts Council, the Illinois Arts Council, the Town of Normal Harmon Arts Grant, the MacArthur Fund for Arts & Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, Poets & Writers, Inc., and the Poetry Foundation. RHINO-associated poets have received Illinois Arts Council recognition, and poems first published in RHINO have subsequently appeared in selections associated with The Best American Poetry. Two translations from the 2023 issue were also included on the longlist for the 2025 Best Literary Translation Anthology. RHINO is recognized within the United States literary-magazine ecosystem. As of 2024, Clifford Garstang ranked it 41st among the top 100 American poetry literary magazines. The organization remains active through its annual journal, digital archive, reviews, readings, prizes, fellowships, and educational opportunities. Its editorial history includes contributors such as Lisel Mueller, Martha Vertreace, Jackie White, Mary Biddinger, Chris Green, Jacob Saenz, Kenyatta Rogers, YZ Chin, and Sarah Carson. Editors listed for 2024 were Virginia Bell, Jan Bottiglieri, Angela Narciso Torres, Ann Hudson, John McCarthy, and Naoko Fujimoto.

RHINO Poetry began in 1976 as a literary outlet associated with Poetry Forum workshops in the Evanston, Illinois area. Its early identity was rooted in workshop participation and local literary exchange. Over time, the publication developed into a nonprofit organization with a broader editorial mission and a recurring annual journal. A major expansion occurred in 2002, when RHINO broadened its scope to accept and publish work by poets from across the United States and internationally. The journal’s later editorial program has included emerging and established English-language poets, poetry in translation, flash fiction, and creative nonfiction. Its work is selected through a collaborative editorial process rather than being presented solely as the product of one editor. RHINO’s reputation has been reinforced by the subsequent recognition of work first published in the journal. Susan Dickman’s poem “Skin,” published in RHINO 2002, was selected by Yusef Komunyakaa for The Best American Poetry 2003. Daniel Gutstein’s “Monsieur Pierre Est Mort,” from RHINO 2005, was selected by Billy Collins for The Best American Poetry 2006. More recently, two translated poems from RHINO’s 2023 issue were included on the longlist for the 2025 Best Literary Translation Anthology. The organization has also received arts and literary support from the Evanston Arts Council, the Illinois Arts Council, the Town of Normal Harmon Arts Grant, the MacArthur Fund for Arts & Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, Poets & Writers, Inc., and the Poetry Foundation. Illinois Arts Council prizes were awarded to poets from RHINO Poetry in 2002, 2003, 2008, 2019, and 2020. Beyond its print journal, RHINO has built a set of complementary programs. Its online archive makes previously published material available after print publication, with recent complete issues represented in the digital collection. RHINO Reviews publishes monthly criticism and commentary on contemporary American poetry and poetry in translation. RHINO Reads! presents pop-up readings and open mics, either online or in the Chicago area. Internships provide students with experience in literary-magazine editing, while the Helen Degen Cohen Summer Reading Fellowship offers a structured summer opportunity for selected applicants. RHINO also operates a prize program comprising the Founders’ Prize, the Ralph Hamilton Editors’ Prize, and a Translation Prize. Since 2021, the Founders’ Prize has been selected by a guest judge. Named judges have included Ed Roberson, Luisa A. Igloria, Niki Herd, Rodney Gomez, and Cyrus Cassells. Winners of the Founders’ and Editors’ prizes are nominated for a Pushcart Prize. As of 2024, the editorial team listed Virginia Bell, Jan Bottiglieri, Angela Narciso Torres, Ann Hudson, John McCarthy, and Naoko Fujimoto as editors. The organization continues to combine journal publishing, digital access, public programming, prizes, and training opportunities within the nonprofit literary sector.

• 2025

  RHINO translations reach anthology longlist

  [1]RHINO Poetryen.wikipedia.org

  Two translations from the 2023 RHINO issue reached the longlist for the 2025 Best Literary Translation Anthology.

• 2024

  Ranked 41st among American poetry magazines

  [1]RHINO Poetryen.wikipedia.org

  RHINO Poetry was ranked 41st in Clifford Garstang’s top-100 list of United States poetry literary magazines.

• 2022

  Editors featured in Lit 50

  [1]RHINO Poetryen.wikipedia.org

  Three RHINO editors were included in New City’s 2022 Lit 50 list.

• 2021

  Founders’ Prize adopts guest-judge model

  [1]RHINO Poetryen.wikipedia.org

  Beginning in 2021, the Founders’ Prize was selected by a guest judge.

• 2006

  Second RHINO poem selected for The Best American Poetry

  [1]RHINO Poetryen.wikipedia.org

  Daniel Gutstein’s “Monsieur Pierre Est Mort,” from RHINO 2005, was selected for The Best American Poetry 2006.

• 2002

  Scope expands nationally and internationally

  [1]RHINO Poetryen.wikipedia.org

  The organization expanded beyond its workshop origins to publish work by poets from the United States and other countries.

• 2002

  RHINO poem selected for The Best American Poetry

  [1]RHINO Poetryen.wikipedia.org

  Susan Dickman’s poem “Skin,” published in RHINO 2002, was selected for The Best American Poetry 2003.

• 1976

  RHINO Poetry established

  [1]RHINO Poetryen.wikipedia.org

  RHINO Poetry was founded as an outlet for members of Poetry Forum workshops in Evanston, Illinois.

A nonprofit, editor-led literary platform focused on contemporary poetry, poetry in translation, literary discovery, and access to readings and editorial experience.

• Annual literary journal · 1976

  RHINO print journal

  RHINO is the organization’s annual print publication and its central editorial product. It publishes contemporary poetry by emerging and established writers, together with poetry in translation and selected flash fiction or creative nonfiction. The issue is assembled by a broad editorial team and is supported by the organization’s prize and submission programs.

• Digital literary archive

  RHINO Online Archive

  The online archive preserves and presents poems previously published in RHINO. Material generally becomes available approximately one year after print publication, and the archive includes complete issues for a number of recent years as well as selected prize-winning work.

• Online literary criticism

  RHINO Reviews

  RHINO Reviews is a monthly online series featuring reviews of contemporary American poetry and poetry in translation. Contributors include poets, writers, teachers, committed readers, and others engaged with current literary work.

• Literary events

  RHINO Reads!

  RHINO Reads! is a pop-up reading program featuring invited poets and open-mic opportunities. Events may be held online or in the Chicago area, extending RHINO’s publishing activity into public literary performance.

• Literary awards

  RHINO prizes

  RHINO Poetry offers the Founders’ Prize, Ralph Hamilton Editors’ Prize, and Translation Prize. Founders’ Prize submissions also receive consideration for publication and the Editors’ Prize. Prize winners receive publication-related recognition, and Founders’ and Editors’ Prize winners are nominated for Pushcart Prize consideration.

• Editorial education

  RHINO Internship

  The RHINO internship gives students practical experience in the operation and editing of a literary magazine. The volunteer position may be undertaken during the academic year or over the summer.

• Literary fellowship

  Helen Degen Cohen Summer Reading Fellowship

  This summer fellowship is an application-based opportunity connected with RHINO’s reading and editorial activities. It is intended for applicants meeting the program’s stated qualifications.

• 2021

  Introduce guest judges for the Founders’ PrizeStrategy

  Background

  RHINO’s Founders’ Prize is part of its annual submission and publication program.

  Action taken

  Beginning in 2021, the winner was selected by a guest judge, with judges including Ed Roberson, Luisa A. Igloria, Niki Herd, Rodney Gomez, and Cyrus Cassells in later years.

  Aftermath

  The guest-judge model became an established feature of the prize program.

  Source

• 2002

  Expand from workshop outlet to broader literary journalStrategy

  Background

  RHINO originated as an outlet for Poetry Forum workshop members and later sought a wider editorial and readership base.

  Action taken

  The organization expanded its scope to include national and international poets.

  Aftermath

  RHINO developed into a broader nonprofit literary platform publishing contemporary poetry, translation, and other short literary forms.

  Source

1. 1RHINO Poetryen.wikipedia.org