The latest book by Gateway Community College Humanities Professor Franz Douskey, “ West of Midnight: New and Selected Poems ,” has been nominated by two publishers for a Pulitzer Prize.

The autobiographical book, released earlier this year, places new works alongside pieces previously published in  Rolling Stone, the Nation, The New York Quarterly, The New Yorker  and  Las Vegas Life .

Two publishers nominated Douskey’s book for a Pulitzer Prize in poetry, including his publisher, New York Quarterly Foundation, which publishes about 40 books a year and is directed by Raymond Hammond. Publishers nominate works to the Pulitzer committee in a variety of categories, including poetry. About 1,000 books of poetry are published each year, and of those, less than 100 are generally nominated for consideration. Winners will be announced in the spring.

During a decades-long career, Douskey, a New Haven native, has had readings and traveled with such notables as James Dickey, Allen Ginsberg, Ai, Charles Bukowski and F. D. Reeve. Some of his writing has been performed by Frederica Von Stade of the Metropolitan Opera Company, The Yale Glee Club and The Heaths. He also coordinates artistic events at GCC through the Esther Haseltine Schiavone Endowment Fund, which was established in 2006 through the Gateway Community College Foundation by Schiavone’s daughter Jennifer Schiavone. Along with writing, Douskey also produces radio shows for WQUN 1220 AM and enjoys spending time with the horses at the Giant Valley Polo Club in Hamden where he is a member.