We are thrilled to announce another year of our fellowship for emerging writers, Emerge-Surface-Be, with mentors Lee Ann Brown, Tan Lin, and Tracie Morris.

Everything you need to know, including eligibility requirements, submission requirements, and more about the three mentors can be found here.

Apply HERE.

Three 2015-16 ESB Fellows will be announced in early November. Please email esbfellowship@poetryproject.org with questions about or problems with your application. Below is an overview of the program!

Program Overview

Emerge – Surface – Be is a natural extension of The Poetry Project’s program offerings. It formalizes the distinct yet unspoken pedagogical aspect of The Poetry Project’s programs while providing a unique opportunity to support, develop and present emerging NYC­ based poets of promise.

Poet mentors Lee Ann Brown, Tan Lin, and Tracie Morris will each select an emerging poet to work with. Over the course of nine months, Fellows will be given the opportunity to work one-on-one with their mentor to develop their craft. Ideal Fellows will have a project they are working on or want to embark upon, and feel that they would benefit from guidance and support. Each Fellow will receive an award of $2,500.

In addition to working with their mentors, Fellows will have access to all Poetry Project events (free workshops, free readings, free publications) and be included in the Annual New Year’s Day Marathon Reading. Fellows will also read within The Poetry Project’s Monday or Friday Night Reading Series with introductions made by their mentors. Fellows will be invited to attend gatherings with the Project staff, as well as the other Fellows and Mentors.

Applicants that have achieved some measure of local, regional, or national professional recognition will be judged favorably, as will applicants who have been published or had work presented in recognized publications and venues. However, the most important criterion is that an applicant’s work shows potential. Therefore, demonstration of a high level of skill and unique stylistic vision will be considered in the decision making process.

Our definition of “emerging” is a writer who has local and perhaps regional recognition and may have national exposure, though not national recognition. As a top limit, an emerging writer has published no more than one full­ length perfect bound book and no more than three chapbooks (not including self­-published work in chapbook form).

The Poetry Project embraces diversity in the broadest sense of the word. This principle is reflected in the choice of mentor poets and will be reflected in the selection of Fellows.

This program is supported by The Jerome Foundation.