The annual Airlie Prize opens for submissions on January 1, with a deadline in March. Any poet writing in English is eligible to enter, regardless of place of residence. The winner receives book publication in the fall of the following year, and a $1000 prize.
The annual Airlie open call for poets in the Pacific Northwest opens on June 1 with a July 31 deadline. There is no fee to submit.
To protect the anonymity of your entry, please use Submittable for any questions.
Airlie Press is a nonprofit poetry collective based in and around Portland, Oregon. During our summer submission period, we seek manuscripts from Pacific Northwest poets who are willing and able to commit to a three-year term of doing the shared work of running a collective press. Most important editorial decisions are made by consensus. Starting in 2017, Airlie Press accepts submissions from poets previously published by Airlie. In 2020, poets published before 2017 are encouraged to submit a manuscript during our summer submission period. Returning poets must commit to a standard three-year agreement.
Indigenous poets from the US and Canada! Submit up to 5 poems for FREE to inter·punked
What is inter·punked?
inter·punked is a forthcoming, single-issue journal featuring indigenous poetry printed with letterpress. It is a project by Cherokee Nation citizen Jessica Mehta and the submission process is hosted by Airlie Press. Jessica is an artist-in-residence at the Independent Publishing Resource Center (IPRC) and 2020 First Peoples Fund Fellow.
inter·punked aims to celebrate varied indigenous cultures, to open discourse and knowledge-sharing, and provide a platform for indigenous voices.
What does inter·punked mean?
“Interpunct” is a type of punctuation that places a centered dot between two letters. Sometimes the interpunct uses a triangle instead of a dot. It has enjoyed several different uses over the years, from splitting a word to serving as a multiplication sign. “Inter” refers to an open system within groups—such as the sharing of poetry from indigenous poets to wider indigenous and non-indigenous communities. “Punk” as a subculture movement embraces an anti-establishment viewpoint, direct action, and DIY ethics (to keep it very short and simple!). Marry these two terms—or multiply them—and that is the ethos of inter·punked layered with an indigenous lens.
What makes inter·punked different?
inter·punked features typeset poems situated next to their handwritten counterpart. This means that all accepted submissions require the poet to submit a scanned copy of the accepted works in their handwriting. You do NOT need to submit a copy of the handwritten poems during the initial submission.
Why handwritten?
Have you ever experienced the unbridled joy of seeing a favorite writer’s handwriting? Waited in winding lines to get a book signed? After spending countless hours in archival libraries around the world, Jessica realized the intimacy that transpires when readers see a handwritten draft of beloved poetry. Simply put, something special happens.
inter·punked has a goal to provide space to develop a relationship with indigenous poetry beyond how we are used to experiencing poetry today in books, journals, or on screens. Handwritten poems is one way this can be realized.
What if my handwriting is terrible or I mess up when writing by hand?
That’s okay—and in fact preferred! Contributors aren’t expected to provide “fair copies” of their poems (handwritten poems that are “perfect”). The poems will be typeset as well, so there is no need to worry about legibility. If you already have a handwritten draft of the poems you’re submitting, even better.
What if I don’t have access to a scanner?
Unfortunately, we’re living in an era when access to technology in public settings isn’t necessarily safe. It’s best to get a clear, high-quality image of the handwritten poem—but inter·punked will work with you to help ensure your comfort and safety. Some options include: asking a local office supply store to scan the poems for you if you feel comfortable doing so (inter·punked will pay for these services via PayPal); mailing the handwritten poems to inter·punked for scanning; in some cases a scan from a phone app may be high enough quality.
Do poems have to be in English?
No. Poems can be in English, indigenous languages, or a combination of the two.
What do contributors get?
If your poems are accepted to inter·punked, contributors will receive:
· 1 complimentary copy of the journal
· Every poet (not every poem) will receive $20 upon publication and an additional $10 will be donated to the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center
· Contributors with Twitter and/or Instagram will be tagged and reach nearly 20,000 organic followers
What does it mean that Airlie Press is hosting the submission process?
Airlie Press is a non-profit poetry publisher based in Oregon. As a poetry collective, all poets accepted at Airlie Press during the annual open call serve a three-year term as editors/publishers. Jessica is a poet-editor at the Press and currently serving her final term. Airlie Press is the submission host for inter·punked, providing a streamlined avenue on Submittable so that inter·punked can collect submissions.
Airlie Press proudly supports the literary efforts of all their editors, and is also committed to helping to showcase the voices and works of BIPOC writers. Airlie Press is not the publisher of inter·punked or associated with inter·punked in any means beyond hosting the submissions.
When will the journal be published?
It depends on numerous factors including the number of submissions, quality, and access to the IPRC in the mist of a pandemic. However, the goal is to publish inter·punked no later than May 2021.