POETRY NEWS -NYC

Carolyn Forché to Judge Walt Whitman Award   Submissions are now open for the 2016 Walt Whitman Award contest! The winner receives $5,000, publication by Graywolf Press, an all-expenses-paid six-week residency at the Civitella Ranieri Center in Italy, and distribution of the winning book to thousands of Academy members.Submit your manuscript between September 1 and November 1. Carolyn Forché will judge. Fall Conversation Series   Our new fall series with The New York Public Library pairs poets with complementary creative minds. The stellar lineup features Claudia Rankine and artist Carrie Mae Weems (September 9); Mark Doty and choreographer Bill T. Jones (October 19); Kevin Young and chef Gabrielle Hamilton (November 19); and Sharon Olds and actress Cynthia Nixon (December 11). Events are free and open to the public, but online advance registration is required. Listen to Mark Doty read his tribute poem to artist Jackson Pollock. Read Kevin Young's essay on Langston Hughes's first book. Check out our new video series that explores the publishing process.