ALTOONA, Pa. — Erin Murphy, professor of English at Penn State Altoona and the 2026-27 Penn State Laureate, has received two national post-publication book awards for “Human Resources,” her poetry collection of documentary poems about labor and employment.
The collection won the 2026 NYC Big Book Award and placed second in the 2026 National Federation of Press Women (NFPW) competition. It previously won the 2026 Storytrade Book Award and received first place in the Pennsylvania Press Club’s 2026 annual communications contest.
Calling Murphy’s book “outstanding,” the NFPW judge noted that it “addresses issues of justice in the world of labor. Its pages of protest take so many different voices, and perhaps more importantly, GIVE voices to so many people.”
The NYC Big Book Award honors excellence in independent and traditional publishing. “Human Resources,” which was published by Grayson Books in 2025, won in the Contemporary Poetry category.
Murphy is the author or editor of 16 books. During her year as Penn State Laureate, she is visiting campuses throughout the University to present and promote poetry and bring greater visibility to the arts, humanities and broader University mission. Her presentations include selections from "Human Resources." A full schedule is available online.