Poets & Writers Magazine - May - June 2023

In this issue

Our annual Writing Contests Issue features a guide to contests for emerging writers, advice from judges on standing out in a crowd, and best practices when applying to grants and fellowships; Luis Alberto Urrea gains a new understanding of his mother in Goodnight, Irene; Camille T. Dungy blooms as both writer and gardener in Soil; Brian Gresko chronicles Gina Chung’s journey to her debut novel, Sea Change; how to read the terms of your book contract; ChatGPT and the future of writing; writing prompts; contest deadlines; and more.

Major Jackson of The Slowdown

In January, Major Jackson became host of The Slowdown, a popular podcast that each weekday presents a poem and reflection in a five- to ten-minute segment.

3 mins

Radiant Fog

ONE WRITER'S LIFE IN RURAL AMERICA

10 mins

Bringing the Joy

LUIS ALBERTO URREA ALWAYS KNEW HIS MOTHER HAD A STORY; HE JUST DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO TELL IT. BUT IN RESEARCHING AND WRITING HIS NEW NOVEL, GOOD NIGHT, IRENE, WHICH FICTIONALIZES HER EXPERIENCES AS A MEMBER OF THE RED CROSS'S LITTLE-KNOWN CLUBMOBILE SERVICE IN WORLD WAR II, HE GAINED A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF THE PERSON SHE WAS-AND ATLAST GAVE HER THE HAPPY ENDING SHE DESERVED.

10+ mins

Blooming how she must

WITH ROOTS IN NATURE WRITING, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, POETRY, AND PHOTOGRAPHY, CAMILLE T. DUNGY'S NEW BOOK, SOIL: THE STORY OF A BLACK MOTHER'S GARDEN, DELVES INTO THE PERSONAL AND POLITICAL ACT OF CULTIVATING AND DIVERSIFYING A GARDEN OF HERBS, VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, AND OTHER PLANTS IN THE PREDOMINANTLY WHITE COMMUNITY OF FORT COLLINS, COLORADO.

10+ mins

First

GINA CHUNG'S SEA CHANGE

10+ mins

The Fine Print

HOW TO READ YOUR BOOK CONTRACT

10 mins

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Poets & Writers Magazine Description:

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.