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.

We are pleased this year to have support for five mentor/fellow pairings, and to be able to support writers working in a broader range of modes — including poetry, but also crossing into nonfiction, criticism, and performance. Mentors Myung Mi Kim, Sawako Nakayasu, Evelyn Reilly, Ronaldo V. Wilson, and Simone White 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; explore publication and performance opportunities; and reflect on the professional and community-based dimensions of a writing life. Meetings between Fellows and Mentors can take place both in-person and virtually. 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 adherence with US tax requirements, ESB Fellows will be issued an IRS 1099 Form.

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 as a culminating event, with introductions made by their Mentors. Poetry Project staff and Mentors will work with each Fellow to find other unique opportunities for deepening, sharing, and connecting their poetry to specific goals the Fellows might have. Through the program, Fellows will be invited to attend various gatherings with Poetry Project staff and other 2022-23 Fellows and Mentors.

The most important criteria will be the demonstration of potential, as well as unique vision and voice, in the applicant’s work sample. While applicants who have achieved some measure of local, regional, or national professional recognition will have these merits taken into account, we equally welcome—and encourage—applications from individuals who may have not yet had highly visible or public opportunities to share their work.

Our definition of “emerging” ranges from writers who are just beginning to share their work publicly; to writers who have local and perhaps regional recognition; and up to writers who are approaching national exposure, though not yet 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)

Read more about the Emerge—Surface—Be Fellowship program here.