‘First it knocked me flat, but now I’m bouncing!’: York writer receives Windham-Campbell prize

“First it knocked me flat, but now I’m bouncing!”

These were the words of Anthony Vahni Capildeo, the Trinidadian-Scottish poet, after being honoured with the prestigious Windham-Campbell Prize – one of the most significant literary honours in the world!

As Writer in Residence and Professor of Poetry in English at the University of York, Anthony joins an esteemed list of eight writers, honoured for their outstanding contributions to literature. Each year, eight writers across fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama receive over £135,000, making it one of the largest literary awards globally.

Worldwide literary excellence

Founded in 2013 and overseen by Yale University’s Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, the Windham-Campbell Prizes celebrate exceptional literary contributions each year. The 2025 recipients include:

Fiction – Sigrid Nunez (United States) and Anne Enright (Ireland).

Nonfiction -Patricia Joyce Williams (United States) and Rana Dasgupta (United Kingdom).

Poetry – Tongo Eisen-Martin (United States) and Anthony Vahni Capildeo (Trinidad and Tobago/Scotland).

Drama – Roy Williams (United Kingdom) and Matilda Feyiṣayọ Ibini (United Kingdom).

Capildeo’s achievements

via YouTube

The Trinidadian Scottish poets selection highlights their literary achievements which explore themes of belonging, identity, and gender. Recently, their critically acclaimed work Measures of Expatriation won the Forward Prize for Best Collection and was shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize, further acknowledging their reputation as a leading voice in contemporary poetry.

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Beyond their creative contributions, Anthony actively engages in academia, working closely with students and staff at the University of York’s Department of English and Related Literature. As the designated Writer in Residence, they expand the department’s network by connecting with writers, publishers, and literary professionals to foster creative collaborations. They also contribute as a guest lecturer for the final year module Found in Translation, sharing insights as a poet.

In addition, for those interested in exploring Anthony’s work, their poetry and essays appear in major literary journals, and their collections are available through leading publishers!

A life-changing honour

After receiving the award, Anthony expressed immense gratitude: “The body of work for which I was awarded the Windham-Campbell Prize would not have been possible without the community at the University of York and especially in the Department of English and Related Literature, which I joined during the pandemic and has proven to be a source of strength and inspiration, a uniquely brilliant and supportive team of passionate educators and thinkers.”

In a statement about the Windham-Campbell Prize, they underline:”Winning the Windham-Campbell Prize has lifted weights that I didn’t even know were oppressing me internally; it’s beyond anything I looked for in my ordinary writer’s life.”

Selecting the prize

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The Windham-Campbell Prizes were founded by Donald Windham and Sandy M. Campbell, wanting to recognise worldwide literary excellence and provide writers with the resources to continue their work. The selection process is conducted by anonymous judges, ensuring impartial recognition of literary achievement.

Michael Kelleher, Director of the Windham-Campbell Prizes, emphasised the vision behind the prizes: “It was the late Donald Windham’s wish in establishing these prizes to call attention to literary achievement and provide writers with time, space and freedom.

“This mission remains at the heart of the Windham-Campbell Prizes, and in today’s world it is more vital than ever to recognize and support the crucial work and wisdom that writers share with us all.”

Anthony recognises the importance of the prize’s long-lasting commitment: “It’s the most wonderful thing to feel connected to people (living and dead) who cared so much for the freedom of creative expression as to found and administer this prize.”

Furthermore, Anthony’s recognition as a Windham-Campbell Prize recipient underscores their influence in the literary world and affirms the University of York’s status as a centre for literary excellence. This honour will undoubtedly open new doors for their creative and academic pursuits, further enriching the global literary landscape.

Featured image via YouTube