Poets & Writers Magazine

For more than twenty years, Poets & Writers Magazine has been a trusted companion to writers who take their vocation seriously. Within its pages, our readers find provocative essays on the literary life, practical guidance for getting published and pursuing writing careers, in-depth profiles of poets, fiction writers, and writers of creative nonfiction, and conversation among fellow professionals.

Poets & Writers Magazine • Volume 53 • Issue 1

EDITOR’S Note • ALL THE GLITTERING POSSIBILITIES

Reactions • Poets & Writers Magazine welcomes feedback from its readers. Please post a comment on select articles at pw.org, e-mail editor@pw.org, or write to Editor, Poets & Writers Magazine, 90 Broad Street, Suite 2100, New York, NY 10004. Letters accepted for publication may be edited for clarity and length.

A Library Grows in Norway

Page One • Where New And Noteworthy Books Begin

Black List Seeks Next Great Novel

A New Hurston’s “Incomplete” Truths

Small Press Points

Literary MagNet

Jaquette Joins Words Without Borders

The Time Is Now • Writing Prompts and Exercises

Decolonize the Novel • WRITING AGAINST WESTERN STRICTURES OF REALISM

What’s Left Out • THE POEMS THAT HAUNT A COLLECTION FROM THE OUTSIDE

Supporting literature at its source • Poets & Writers gratefully acknowledges this group of generous booklovers who have made donations of $1,000 or more to support our programs and publications for writers.

INSPIRATION HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN

THE LIGHTHOUSE

THE MOON

THE NIGHTLIGHT

THE CAMERA OBSCURA

THE ANGLERFISH

THE REFRIGERATOR LIGHT

THE VOLCANO

THE FIREFLY • By Aimee Nezhukumatathil

THE LUMINOUS LIFE • Our Twentieth Annual Look at Debut Poets

Kenzie Allen

Jimin Seo

Sarah Ghazal Ali

Diego Báez

Saretta Morgan

Matthew Gellman

Christian J. Collier

Stephanie Choi

Darius Atefat-Peckham

Yalie Saweda Kamara

REFLECTION: TWENTY YEARS OF DEBUT POETS

Building Together • HOW TO GIVE—AND EFFECTIVELY RECEIVE—CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK

Deadlines • POETS & WRITERS MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES state, national, and international prizes in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, and translation. We list only prizes of $1,000 or more, prizes of $500 or more that charge no entry fee, and prestigious nonmonetary awards. Only contests that meet our criteria, which include but are not limited to a consistent demonstration of professionnalism and realibility on the part of the sponsoring organization, are listed in Grants & Awards. We reserve the right to remove contests, at the editors’ discretion, that do not maintain a clear track record of being responsibly run.

Submission Calendar

Recent Winners

Conferences & Residencies • POETS & WRITERS MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES application information for writers conferences, literary festivals, and residencies of interest to poets, fiction writers, creative nonfiction writers, and translators. Applications for the following events are due shortly. Conferences and festivals with rolling, first-come, first-served admission are listed well in advance. Some accept registration on the date of the event. Contact the sponsoring organization for an application and complete guidelines. When requesting information by mail, enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE). All accessibility information has been provided by the sponsoring organizations.

A Message From the Executive Director • POETS & WRITERS IS MORE than a magazine. We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving creative writers. We pay fees to writers giving readings and leading workshops,...