Cassie Premo Steele

Pushcart Prize Nominations: for "Volcano Woman" in Swimming in Gilead from Yellow Arrow Publishing; "The Poemgranate,” published in Vox Poetica, 2009; for “Writing is like this,” published in This is how honey runs, 2010; and for “Hurricane Season,” published in The Pomegranate Papers, 2012. "This is my disease" won The 2011 Archibald Rutledge Prize, sponsored by the Poetry Society of South Carolina. This award, honoring the late Poet Laureate of South Carolina, is offered for a poem of any style or nature descriptive of the Palmetto State. Judged by Eric Nelson. "Spirit Lesson" won The 2011 John Edward Johnson Prize sponsored by the Poetry Society of South Carolina. Offered for a poem of any style or nature on a religious theme or subject. Judged by Young Smith. First Place Award for Best Essay in Cup of Comfort for Writers for “Hummingbird Singing.” 2007. Sponsored by Adams Media Corporation. First Place Award in the Recycled Words Nature Poetry Competition for “Walking with My Daughter.” Sumter County Cultural Commission. Fall 2007. Best of Literary Mama 2007 Creative Nonfiction Category for “My Wild Child.” Honorable Mention in the The State newspaper and USC Poetry Initiative’s annual poetry contest for “Her Colors.” April, 2006. Top Ten Finalist in the The State newspaper and USC Poetry Initiative’s annual poetry contest for “This Bird.” April, 2006. Finalist for the Rita Dove Poetry Award judged by Joy Harjo for “Findabair.” April, 2003. Sumter County Cultural Commission Literary Award for “Three Years Down.” February 28, 2002. Finishing Line Press. Semi-finalist in the 1999 Finishing Line Press New Women's Voices Competition. Poetry chapbook, Caves of My Memory. Carrie McCray Literary Award for Poetry. First Place for "The Reunion of Women." Sponsored by the South Carolina Writers Workshop. Presented at the 6th Annual SCWW Writers Conference. October 13, 1996.