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In 2019, The Ekphrastic Review began nominating writers for the Best of the Net and the Pushcart Prize literary awards. As of 2020, we are also nominating writers for Best Microfiction and Best Small Fictions.

We also briefly created our own Fantastic Ekphrastic  literary awards.

Thanks to our wonderful team of nomination readers, past and present, for making all of this possible: Dr. Queen Sarkar, Laura Cherry, Jordan Trethewey, Alarie Tennille, Kari Ann Ebert, and Carole Mertz, along with editor Lorette C. Luzajic.

In 2016, we nominated for one session, for Best of the Net.

​Our contributor Jo Balistreri was also nominated for a Pushcart in 2018 by the Pushcart reading committee!

Best Small Fictions Nominations 2023
 
One Sleep, by Claire Bateman
 
https://www.ekphrastic.net/the-ekphrastic-review/one-sleep-by-claire-bateman
 
**
 
Changes, by Jane Dougherty
 
https://www.ekphrastic.net/the-ekphrastic-challenges/luristan-bronze-ekphrastic-responses
 
**
 
Jessie’s Egg, by Kathryn Kulpa
 
https://www.ekphrastic.net/the-ekphrastic-review/jessies-egg-1895-by-kathryn-kulpa
 
**
 
Brighton Pierrot, by Anne Summerfield 
 
https://www.ekphrastic.net/the-ekphrastic-review/brighton-pierrot-by-anne-summerfield
 
 
**
 
We Are Making a New World, by Emily Tee
 
https://www.ekphrastic.net/the-ekphrastic-review/we-are-making-a-new-world-by-emily-tee


**

Best Small Fictions 2022 

The Great Wave and Katsushika, by Duncan Leatherdale
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-journal/the-great-wave-and-katsushika-by-duncan-leatherdale
 
Proserpine, by Cassandra Atherton
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-journal/five-prose-poems-on-rossetti-by-cassandra-atherton
 
For the Ride, by Patience Mackarness
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-writing-challenges/selected-challenge-responses-garabet-yazmaciyan
 
Premonition – Meg Pokrass
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-journal/premonition-by-meg-pokrass
 
Clotho, by Ilona Martonfi
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-journal/clotho-by-ilona-martonfi 
Best Small Fictions 2021
 
The House of Mischief, by David Belcher
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/ekphrastic-writing-responses-maria-izquierdo
 
Maple Street, London, by Brian Johnson
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/maple-street-london-1915-by-brian-johnson
 
Our Lady of Scarlet, by Kerfe Roig
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/ekphrastic-writing-responses-augustus-john
 
Four Scenes, Two Friends, One Postcard, by Dorothy Burrows
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/ekphrastic-writing-responses-franz-marc

Haibun for Luisa Adele Rosa Maria von Amann, Marquesa Casati, by Jane Dougherty
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/ekphrastic-writing-responses-augustus-john
 

Best Microfiction Anthology Award Nominations  2023

Spiccato, by Mikki Aronoff

 
https://www.ekphrastic.net/the-ekphrastic-review/spiccato-by-mikki-aronoff
 
 
**
 
 
Horacio At My Door Again, by David Belcher
 
https://www.ekphrastic.net/the-ekphrastic-review/horacio-at-my-door-again-by-david-belcher
 
**
 
 
The Year I Went Without Doing Battle, by Mark DeCarteret
 
https://www.ekphrastic.net/the-ekphrastic-challenges/luristan-bronze-ekphrastic-responses



**
 
Or How Could We Ever Be Able to Resist Such Likeness? by Hedy Habra
 
https://www.ekphrastic.net/the-ekphrastic-review/two-prose-poems-after-juanita-guccione-by-hedy-habra
 
**
 
Foal Filly Mare, by Bayveen O’Connell
 
https://www.ekphrastic.net/the-ekphrastic-challenges/olexandr-murashko-ekphrastic-writing-responses
 
 
**
 
Ranko, by Fran Turner
 
https://www.ekphrastic.net/the-ekphrastic-review/ranko-by-fran-turner

**


Best Microfiction Anthology Awards 2022 


Star Swallowed, by Olivia Wolford
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-journal/star-swallowed-by-olivia-wolford

Hollow, by Christina Pan
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-journal/hollow-by-christina-pan

Lost Rivers, by Jamie Brian
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-journal/lost-rivers-by-jamie-brian

The Moon Practises the Art of Night Photography, by Marjory Woodfield
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-writing-challenges/selected-challenge-responses-garabet-yazmaciyan

Elusions, by Kerfe Roig
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-writing-challenges/selected-challenge-responses-garabet-yazmaciyan

At the Pool Party for My Niece’s Graduation from Middle School, by Nancy Ludmerer
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-journal/at-the-pool-party-for-my-nieces-graduation-from-middle-school-by-nancy-ludmerer

Best Microfiction Nominations 2021
 
When Alice Became the Rabbit, by Cyndi MacMillan (chosen for Best Microfiction anthology!)
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/when-alice-became-the-rabbit-by-cyndi-macmillan
 
Valve, by William Repass
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/valve-by-william-repass
 
The Word-Swallower Finds Her Groove, by Faye Brinsmead
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/the-word-swallower-finds-her-groove-by-faye-brinsmead
 
My Brother’s Ashes, by Ilona Martonfi
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/ekphrastic-writing-responses-jean-francois-millet
 
Pigrimage, by Shira Atik
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/pilgrimage-by-shira-atik
Pushcart Nominations 2023

At the Museo Nacional, by George Franklin

 
https://www.ekphrastic.net/the-ekphrastic-review/at-the-museo-nacional-by-george-franklin
 

Wakizashi, by Linda McQuarrie-Bowerman
 
https://www.ekphrastic.net/the-ekphrastic-challenges/luristan-bronze-ekphrastic-responses
 

Pampushky Dreams (five monokus), by Anita Nahal


https://www.ekphrastic.net/the-ekphrastic-challenges/olexandr-murashko-ekphrastic-writing-responses

 
The Deer, by Lynn Pattison
 
https://www.ekphrastic.net/the-ekphrastic-review/the-deer-by-lynn-pattison
 
 
Credo, by Christine Stewart-Nuñez
 
https://www.ekphrastic.net/the-ekphrastic-review/credo-by-christine-stewart-nunez
 
 
Shared Roots, by Alarie Tennille
 
https://www.ekphrastic.net/the-ekphrastic-challenges/jo-zider-ekphrastic-challenge-responses
 

Pushcart Nominations 2022


Letter with Green Sky, by Brenna Courtney
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-writing-challenges/selected-challenge-responses-garabet-yazmaciyan
 
Sacred Crypt, by Portly Bard
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-writing-challenges/willem-van-haecht-ekphrastic-challenge-responses
 
Widowhood, by Sandi Stromberg
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-writing-challenges/women-artists-contest-the-finalists-congratulations
 
On Planet Set by Joseph Cornell, by Mary McCarthy 
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-writing-challenges/ekphrastic-responses-joseph-cornell?fbclid=IwAR1e7147NgJIVQhjht_BNwJg6WavD0zAk4f48C0-J0WK8Mzx_2ceTyZVNws
 
February’s Loss, by Rebecca Weigold
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-journal/bird-watching-contest-poetry-finalists
 
You Are Here, by Sheila Lockhart                   
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-writing-challenges/winners-women-artists-contest

​
Pushcart Prize Nominations 2021


Reflection, by Barbara Lydecker Crane
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/reflection-by-barbara-lydecker-crane
 
My Mother and Andy Warhol, by Robert Donohue
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/my-mother-and-andy-warhol-by-robert-donohue
  
Photo of My Dead Son, Taken At The DMV, by Alexis Rhone Fancher
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/photo-of-my-dead-son-taken-at-the-dmv-by-alexis-rhone-fancher
 
Seven Sadnesses, by Kip Knott
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/seven-sadnesses-by-kip-knott

Horse and Train, by Lisa McCabe
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/horse-and-train-by-lisa-mccabe

The Addictive Futility of Hope, by Brent Terry
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/the-addictive-futility-of-hope-by-brent-terry


Pushcart Prize 2020


do not speak to me of pain, by Ali Whitelock 

http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/do-not-speak-to-me-of-pain-by-ali-whitelock
 
Louisiana Zombie Afternoon, by Kyle Laws
http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/jenn-zed-ekphrastic-challenge-responses-poetry
 
Vanessa Bell is Sending Me Dreams, by Patricia Goodwin 
http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/vanessa-bell-is-sending-me-dreams-by-patricia-goodwin
 
Fauves of Luxury, Calm, and Desire, by Janiru Liyanage 
http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/fauves-of-luxury-calm-and-desire-by-janiru-liyanage
 
Pair of Cranes, by Deborah Schmidt 
http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/pair-of-cranes-by-deborah-schmidt
 
Corollary, by Rajani Radhakrishnan  
http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/corollary-by-rajani-radhakrishnan
​
2017

Gabriele Munter Paints Her Lover, by Mary Jo Balistreri
​(nominated by the Pushcart editors) 
http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/gabriele-munter-paints-her-lover-by-mary-jo-balistreri​


Best of the Net Nominations 2023

black, by Saad Ali
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/black-by-saad-ali

One Summer Day, by Martin Elster
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/one-summer-day-by-martin-elster

Love It or List It, by Keith Hoerner
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-writing-challenges/ekphrastic-prompt-challenge-responses-han-van-meegeren

Magritte’s Apple Explains It All, by Joan Leotta
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/magrittes-apple-explains-it-all-by-joan-leotta

Who Am I? by Alarie Tennille
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-writing-challenges/ekphrastic-writing-responses-onabanjo-of-itu-meko

Andrew Wyeth’s Public Sale, by Jo Taylor
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/on-andrew-wyeths-public-sale-1943-by-jo-taylor
 
Colours of a Life, by Finnian Burnett
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/colours-of-a-life-by-finnian-burnett

The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons, by Amy Ralston Seife​
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/the-burning-of-the-houses-of-lords-and-commons-by-amy-ralston-seife
 
Are You There God, it’s Me, Andy? By Kurt Cole Eidsvig
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/are-you-there-god-its-me-andy-by-kurt-cole-eidsvig

The Long Marriage, by Annaliese Jakimides
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/the-long-marriage-by-annaliese-jakimides
 
(Best of the Net 2022 was changed by the awards folks to 2023 to match their dating system. It seems like that year is missing but it isn't, just recalibrated.)
​
Best of the Net Anthology 2021

Standing Tall – Shelly Blankman          
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-journal/ekphrastic-challenge-responses-earle-richardson

Threadbare, by Diane Durant
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-journal/threadbare-by-diane-durant

Dorothea Lange’s Man Beside Wheelbarrow, by Brian Kates
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-journal/dorothea-langes-man-beside-wheelbarrow-by-brian-kates

A Crown for Ida O’Keeffe, by Jean L. Kreiling
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-journal/a-crown-for-ida-okeeffe-by-jean-l-kreiling

Horse and Train, by Lisa McCabe
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-journal/horse-and-train-by-lisa-mccabe

Wheat Field with Crows, by Pamela Porter
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-journal/bird-watching-contest-poetry-finalists

Checkered Floor, by Sandi Stromberg
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-journal/checkered-floor-by-sandi-stromberg

Because the Living May Be Worth Something, Too, by Brendan Todt
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-journal/because-the-living-may-be-worth-something-too-by-brendan-todt

Return from the Woods, by Nan Wigington
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-journal/ekphrastic-christmas-contest-winner-nan-wigington

On the Road Between Their Houses, by Francine Witte
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-writing-challenges/ekphrastic-challenge-responses-istvan-farkas
 

Best of the Net Nominations 2020

Josephine, by Lewis Braham
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/josephine-by-lewis-braham
 
Second Plum, by Tricia Marcella Cimera
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/second-plum-by-tricia-marcella-cimera
 
Landscape With the Fall of Icarus, by Suzanne Craig-Whytock
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/landscape-with-the-fall-of-icarus-by-suzanne-craig-whytock
 
 
When You Lose Your Mooring, by Kyle Laws
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/ekphrastic-challenge-responses-toyen
 
The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Deijman, by Janiru Liyanage
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/the-anatomy-lesson-of-dr-deijman-by-janiru-liyanage
 
French Pumpkin Soup, by Laurie Newendorp
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/ekphrastic-responses-anne-vallayer-coster
 
Carry Along, by Kari Nguyen
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/ekphrastic-challenge-responses-barbara-danin
 
Suicide’s Note in Turquoise, by Shruthi Shivkumar
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/suicides-note-in-turquoise-by-shruthi-shivkumar
Pondering Rothko, by Sandi Stromberg
 
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/ekphrastic-challenge-responses-mark-rothko
 
War, by Alarie Tennille
https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/ekphrastic-challenge-responses-toyen
 

Best of the Net 2019

Corollary, by Rajani Radhakrishnan 
http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/corollary-by-rajani-radhakrishnan

Caught, by Mike Baynham 
http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/caught-by-mike-baynham

Metal Man, by Robert L. Dean 
http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/metal-man-by-robert-l-dean-jr

After the Revolution, by .chisaraokwu. 
http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/after-the-revolution-mine-eyes-see-inferno-by-chisaraokwu

Three Tanka After Monet, by Gabriel Rosenstock 
http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/three-tanka-after-monet-in-irish-and-english-by-gabriel-rosenstock

Vanessa Bell is Sending Me Dreams, by Patricia Goodwin 
http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/vanessa-bell-is-sending-me-dreams-by-patricia-goodwin

Paintbrush: a Surgical Tool, by Sophia Thimmes 
http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/paintbrush-a-surgical-tool-by-sophia-thimmes

Lightning, by Ryan O'Connell 
http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/lightning-by-ryan-oconnell 

The Lovelorn Trees of Cozumel, by Edwin Alanis-Garcia 
http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/the-lovelorn-trees-of-cozumel-by-edwin-alanis-garcia

Landscape, by Jenna Gallemore 
http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/landscape-a-sort-of-love-note-to-brian-ulrich-by-jenna-gallemore

​2016 

Ruth Bavetta, for “Memories Suspended by Filaments”
 
Magdelyn Hammond Helwig, for "Artemesia Gentileschi Painting Judith"

Veronica Lupinacci, for “Portrait of a Little Girl, Painted by Elizabeth Chant”
 
Robert Thiessen, for “Bathsheba”
 
Jenna Le, for “Villanelle for Louise Bourgeois”
 
Alarie Tennille, for “Surrounded by Monet’s Water Lilies”
Fantastic Ekphrastic Awards 2021

Ruth Bavetta

Funeral Mask From Mycenae

Rose Mary Boehm
See Me

Matthew Brennan
Winter Landscape

Johanna Caton, OSB
​Five Poems on Art by Miki Lovett

Deborah Gorlin
Poems About Isabella Blow

Jean L. Kreiling
Three Nocturnes

Kyle Laws 
Fall from the Horse of War, 1961

Ryan Rowland
Oh Cuyahoga

Sandi Stromberg
A Surrealist Gives the Chimpanzee Pencil and Paper

Kate Young
Dirt to Dust


Fantastic Ekphrastic Awards 2020


Portly Bard
 
for outstanding ekphrastic achievement, for his body of ekphrastic work in The Ekphrastic Review, and consistent participation and excellence in the challenges
 
Mona Lisas
http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/mona-lisas-by-portly-bard
 
Read more:
http://www.ekphrastic.net/apps/search?q=portly+bard
 

Margaret Benbow 
 
Young Gloria Swanson as the Lion's Bride 
http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/young-gloria-swanson-as-the-lions-bride-by-margaret-benbow
 

Elya Braden
 
Weather Report 
http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/weather-report-by-elya-braden


Lewis Braham 
 
Josephine
http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/josephine-by-lewis-braham


Barbara Crooker
 
for outstanding ekphrastic achievement, a body of ekphrastic work in and outside of the journal
 
Van Gogh’s Crows
http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/van-goghs-crows-by-barbara-crooker
 
Read more:
http://www.ekphrastic.net/apps/search?q=Crooker%2C+barbara
 
Read her books:
https://www.amazon.com/Barbara-Crooker/e/B000APR7GU?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1579780872&sr=1-1

​
Janiru Liyanage
 
Fauves of Luxury, Calm and Desire 
http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/fauves-of-luxury-calm-and-desire-by-janiru-liyanage
 
**

Laurie Newendorp 
 
Orpheus in the 21th Century
http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/ekphrastic-challenge-responses-barbara-danin


Rajani Radhakrishnan
 
Corollary
http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/corollary-by-rajani-radhakrishnan
 

Deborah Schmidt
 
Pair of Cranes 
http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/pair-of-cranes-by-deborah-schmidt
 

Alarie Tennille
 
for outstanding ekphrastic achievement, for her body of ekphrastic work in and outside of The Ekphrastic Review, contributions, participation, promotion and support of the journal from its inception
 
Night Watch
http://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic/omar-odeh-ekphrastic-writing-challenge-responses
 
Read more: http://www.ekphrastic.net/apps/search?q=Alarie+tennille
 
Read her books: 
https://www.amazon.com/Alarie-Tennille/e/B00JSO5S9C/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
 

    Lorette C. Luzajic theekphrasticreview@gmail.com 

  • The Ekphrastic Review
  • The Ekphrastic Challenges
    • Challenge Archives
  • Ebooks
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    • Ekphrastic Book Shelf
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  • Contact
  • About/Masthead