Poetry Bulletin: November 2023
12+ deadlines and paying attention
Hello, poets — these have been heavy days since the Hamas attack on October 7, and I know many of you are doing the work of community care and advocacy and writing in the midst of grief, outrage, and exhaustion. You’re in my thoughts, and your work is with me when making calls to reps or writing notes like this.
I’m taking to heart the call to not turn away now… and I want to believe that when poets and artists pay attention, new possibilities follow. To call for a ceasefire, to envision the hostages returned and families liberated, to demand safety and grieve the losses in Gaza and Israel, isn’t just about justice but also about imagining better. I feel this especially when I see fellow writers posting about how vital it is to share the poems and stories of living Palestinian writers… the call to share living voices feels like a call to imagination, to life. To recognize that this is all still being written and birthed, that death and violence do not have to be foregone conclusions.
It’s also a moment to pay attention to the magazines and presses you subscribe to, submit to, or support in other ways. What do their actions or silences say now?
I want to note what happened this week at the Poetry Foundation (POETRY Magazine), especially since much of it unfolded on X/Twitter and fewer people are there these days. The foundation’s leadership censored a book review by Joshua Gutterman Tranen of Sam Sax’s Pig, because the review included a discussion of anti-Zionism.
The Poetry Foundation doubled down in a statement in which they promised “to uplift work being done by those who raise their voices against oppression” but then also said the foundation wouldn’t “insert itself when it cannot add to the conversation or may divert attention away from the work being done by those directly impacted and involved.”
I’m sharing this front and center because it’s an example of how some of the most influential and well-resourced organizations are failing to meet this moment… it’s disappointing that the Poetry Foundation would silence this conversation, and then it’s wild to watch them try to contort their decision into a false idea of neutrality. (And I should add that Joshua has refuted other claims they made in their statement.)
Like I said, it’s a moment to pay attention. And a moment to make choices—because despite what the Poetry Foundation might think, as writers and truth-tellers and story-keepers we are “inserted.” Involved. Implicated. For my part, I’m no longer a subscriber of POETRY, and I will no longer submit my work there. These are small small small actions, but they’re a start… solidarity comes in many forms.
in attention & action,
Emily
Creative Support: Fellowships, Residencies & More
Sundress Publications has announced two new opportunities for Palestinian writers: a fully-funded residency and a new microgrant.
- shared practical wisdom on applying to a writing residency.
The Poetry Society of America Awards are now open through the end of the year.
Upcoming Manuscript Deadlines
Searching for chapbook reading periods rather than full-length possibilities? Check out this spreadsheet created by Anna Lena Phillips Bell and Ryan Bloom.
Nov 15 — Perugia Press Prize (reduced and fee-free submissions available)
Nov 15 — Nightboat Books Poetry Prize
Nov 15 — Yale Series of Younger Poets
Nov 15 — Donald Justice Poetry Prize (focus on form)
Nov 15 — Sowell Emerging Writers Prize
Nov 30 — Black Lawrence Press Open Reading Period
Nov 30 — Autumn House Rising Writer
Nov 30 — BOA A. Poulin, Jr. Prize
Nov 30 — Cider Press Review Book Award
Nov 30 — White Pine Press Poetry Prize (note: deadline is a postmark date)
Nov 30 — Lamar University Open Reading Period
New: Gunpowder Press has announced the John Ridland Poetry Prize for poets 55 years and older. The deadline is December 31.
There are more ongoing opportunities on the big list of publishers (as in, presses reading throughout the year).
The bulletin is made by Emily Stoddard. If you have ideas, updates to a publisher’s listing, or want to share a resource, say hello by replying to this note.
Thank you for sharing every month. And thank you for the update on POETRY's actions. I was not aware of what had transpired.
Thank you!!!