Manuel Iris Won Gold at Latino Book Awards
The former Cincinnati poet laureate received top honors for his latest bilingual poetry collection.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Hispanic
Former Cincinnati Poet Laureate Manuel Iris has been awarded a Gold Medal at the International Latino Book Awards. The prize recognizes his bilingual poetry collection, The Whole Earth Is a Garden of Monsters / Toda la tierra es un jardín de monstruos.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the significant contributions of bilingual literature to the cultural landscape. It marks a major milestone for the poet, whose work bridges the experiences of migrant life with classical imagery.
Published by the University of Arizona Press in 2026, the work includes English translations co-authored by Kevin C. McHugh. Iris has previously been honored with the 2025 Ambroggio Poetry Prize and is a member of Mexico's National System of Art Creators.
The players
Manuel Iris
He is a published poet and member of Mexico's National System of Art Creators who served as the Poet Laureate of Cincinnati.
Kevin C. McHugh
He collaborated with Manuel Iris as a co-translator for the English version of the award-winning poetry collection.
University of Arizona Press
This academic publishing house serves as the official publisher for the award-winning bilingual collection.
The details
The award-winning collection juxtaposes the realities of the migrant worker experience with the surreal paintings of Hieronymus Bosch. This publication stands as one of six poetry collections authored by Iris, who is an active member of Mexico's National System of Art Creators.
Timeline
2009: Iris won the Merida National Poetry Award.
2014: Iris received the Rodulfo Figueroa Regional Award.
2018-2020: Iris served as the Poet Laureate of Cincinnati.
2025: Iris earned the Ambroggio Poetry Prize.
October 2026: Iris won the International Latino Book Awards Gold Medal.
Culture Shift
This win reflects the growing recognition of bilingual literature that explores the nuance of the migrant experience. It signifies a shift toward valuing cross-cultural narratives within the broader American literary canon.
Local readers can find the award-winning collection through academic outlets or libraries to engage with the city's literary history. The recognition highlights the diverse artistic talent currently residing and working within Cincinnati.
The takeaway
The win solidifies the place of bilingual poetry as a powerful medium for social commentary and artistic expression. Readers interested in contemporary poetry can look to Iris's diverse body of work to explore the intersection of art and modern migration.
Further reading
Learn more about local cultural achievements in the Hispanic section.
