Masters of Fine Arts in Writing poet Catherine-Esther Cowie '19, the very first Kwame Dawes Mapmakers Scholar during her time in the program, has been honored with recognition by the prestigious Forward Arts Foundation for her 2025 book Heirloom, shortlisted for the . The Forward Prizes are the most influential awards for new poetry in the UK.
Heirloom, published by , was also recognized with a by the Poetry Book Society.
Cowie was by Forward Arts Foundation after learning of her recognition.
Please tell us something about the creation of your shortlisted collection, from first words to final book. Does it mark a departure or change from your earlier work?
The collection took seven years to write. I wanted to explore the rippling effects of trauma: how it could travel from one generation to the next. I was also interested in memory—what we remember, how we tell those stories of the past and to whom. Should all stories be told? Which stories free us and which stories entrap?
Catherine-Esther Cowie also helped the MFA launch its Mapmakers Alumni Institute, with a series of four engaging and illuminating public poetry panels through 2021-22. A full playlist of those panels .
The program and our whole community extends HUGE congratulations to Catherine-Esther Cowie!