Tracy K. Smith nominated for an Essence Award and an NAACP Image Award

Tracy K. Smith's second collection of poetry, DUENDE, has been named a finalist in the poetry category of the first annual Essence Literary Awards.The other finalists are Acolytes by Nikki Giovanni and Totem by Gregory Pardlo. The winner will be selected by a panel of publishing experts and announced at an awards ceremony in New York City on February 7, 2008.

DUENDE has also been nominated for a 39th annual NAACP Image Award. Other nominees in the category of Outstanding Literary Work (Poetry) include Acolytes by Nikki Giovanni, Eloquence: Rhythm and Renaissance by Usi Ku, Quiver of Arrows by Carl Phillips, and Selected Poems by Derek Walcott. The NAACP Image Awards honors projects and individuals that promote diversity in 44 categories, including the arts in television, recording, literature, and motion pictures. The 39th NAACP Image Awards will air live on Fox on Thursday, February 14.