On Jan. 28, "Saving Lives" by Albert Goldbarth was nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award. The book of poetry was published by the Ohio State University Press.
Only five books in their respected genres are nominated for this award each year. Goldbarth said he is honored that his work is being considered for this award.
"It is not just fellow writers who nominate the books," Goldbarth said. He said he feels as though the nomination is an "objective, honest assessment."
Goldbarth was nominated and received the same award about 10 years ago. The National Book Critics Circle Award is not the only prestigious recognition Goldbarth has received. He is a recipient of a Guggenheim fellowship and three poetry fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts.
"Saving Lives" is a collection of poems which all have the same theme — the ways we try to save lives. Some poems describe a lung transplant, an archeological remnant and how even poetry can save someone's life.
"The title is taken quite literally in some of the poems, and metaphorically in others," Goldbarth said.
Goldbarth said there was no direct inspiration for his newest collection of poetry. "I'm a poet. Writing poetry is a daily activity," Goldbarth said. "The poems asked themselves to come together and form this book."
Goldbarth had his own personal experience with saving a life. Years ago an undergraduate student wrote Goldbarth saying he read some of Goldbarth's poems and they gave him strength. The student said he decided not to commit suicide after reading the poems.
While Goldbarth was thrilled to be nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award, he said he does not think he will win. He said it is not common to give the award to the same author twice.
David Citino, English professor and poetry editor at OSU Press, is a Goldbarth enthusiast and is thrilled Goldbarth was nominated for this award.
"Albert Goldbarth is one of America's most vibrant poetic voices," Citino said. "His books are what we used to call 'happenings' — cultural events every bit as significant as Oscar-winning films, Super Bowls, and the Ohio State Fair.
"That 'Saving Lives' is a finalist for a National Book Critics Circle Award is a real milestone for the Ohio State University Press, which has published a number of Goldbarth's collections of poetry," Citino said.
Goldbarth, the Distinguished Professor of Humanities in the English department at Wichita State University in Kansas, has published six collections of poetry with the OSU Press.
"The Ohio State University Press is my publisher of choice," Goldbarth said.
Citino said Goldbarth's collections have played an important role in making poetry stand out at the OSU Press.
"His work helps put our poetry list, which is growing year by year, and the entire press — all our titles — on the literary map," Citino said. "We're delighted that our imprint is attaining this recognition."
Avery said the OSU press was not surprised by Goldbarth's nomination.
"He got a lot of attention when the book came out during National Poetry Month of last year," said Laurie Avery, marketing manager for the Ohio State Press.
The winners for the National Book Critics Circle Award be announced on March 11.
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