About Poets & Writers

Since it was founded in 1970, Poets & Writers, Inc., has grown to become the nation’s largest nonprofit organization serving creative writers. Our mission? To foster the professional development of poets and writers, to promote communication throughout the literary community, and to help create an environment in which literature can be appreciated by the widest possible public.

Each year, over 100,000 poets, fiction, and creative nonfiction writers benefit from P&W’s programs, which include its eponymous magazine; a dynamic, information-rich Web site; financial support for readings and other literary events; and sponsorship of multiple writing prizes and awards.

PROGRAMS

Poets & Writers Magazine is the leading publication of its kind. From its earliest days as a quarterly newsletter with a distribution of a few hundred copies, Poets & Writers Magazine has addressed issues of importance to creative writers, from finding an agent to promoting one’s book. The bimonthly magazine publishes essays on the literary life, profiles of contemporary authors, and the most comprehensive listing of literary grants and awards, deadlines, and prize winners available in print. Each issue reaches more than 80,000 writers.

Our Web site, pw.org, includes the Directory of Writers, which provides contact information, publication credits, and biographical information for more than 8,500 authors; databases of literary magazines, small presses, and grants and awards; a national events calendar; the Speakeasy Message Forum, which serves as a central meeting place for writers; and content from Poets & Writers Magazine.

Each year, through its Readings/Workshops program, P&W supports more than 800 writers participating in over 2,000 literary events throughout New York State and California, as well as in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, New Orleans, Seattle, Tucson, and Washington, D.C. P&W distributes more than $200,000 annually in the form of matching grants (restricted to the payment of writers’ fees) to a variety of organizations—from community centers to prominent art museums.

P&W has maintained a satellite office in California since 1989. In addition to overseeing the Readings/Workshops program in California, Houston, and Seattle, the office convenes regional meetings in California that bring together writers and literary presenters.

P&W’s Information Services department maintains much of the content on pw.org, and also offers trustworthy answers to writers’ questions on topics ranging from first book contests to applying to MFA programs.

PRIZES AND AWARDS

The Jackson Poetry Prize, established in 2006, honors an American poet of exceptional talent who deserves wider recognition. Eligible poets must have published at least two books of acknowledged literary merit. The $50,000 prize is designed to provide what all poets need—time and the encouragement to write. The Jackson Poetry Prize is made possible by a significant gift from the Liana Foundation.

The Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award introduces emerging writers to the New York City literary community. Each year, a poet and fiction writer from one state are selected based on manuscripts they submit to P&W. The winners are flown to New York City for an all-expenses-paid, weeklong trip, during which they meet with literary agents, editors, publishers, and writers. Title of the award has been given to Maureen Egen—a gift in her honor was given to Poets & Writers by Hachette Book Group USA in 2007.

Established in 1996, the Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award recognizes authors who have given generously to other writers or to the broader literary community. Honorees are nominated by a committee composed of past winners, other prominent writers, and the Board of Directors of Poets & Writers. Title of the award has been given to Barnes & Noble in appreciation of their extraordinary support of Poets & Writers.

Established in 2009, the Editor's Award recognizes book editors who have made an outstanding contribution to the publication of poetry or literary prose over a sustained period of time. Honorees are nominated by a committee composed of past winners, other prominent writers, and the Board of Directors of Poets & Writers. 

The Amy Award is presented to women poets age 30 and under living in the New York City metropolitan area or on Long Island. Winners receive an honorarium and a reading in New York City. The award was established by Paula Trachtman and Edward Butscher of East Hampton, New York, in memory of Ms. Trachtman’s daughter, Amy Rothholz, an actor and poet.

As a co-founder of The Literary Network, a coalition of nonprofit literary organizations, presses, and magazines, Poets & Writers continues to champion the cause of freedom of expression and advocates on behalf of writers for public funding of literature and the arts.

The Friends of Poets & Writers are a special group of individuals who help make all of these programs possible with annual contributions of $35 or more.

NATIONAL OFFICE

Poets & Writers, Inc.
90 Broad Street, Suite 2100
New York, NY 10004
Phone: (212) 226-3586
Fax: (212) 226-3963

CALIFORNIA OFFICE

Poets & Writers, Inc.
2035 Westwood Boulevard, Suite 211
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: (310) 481-7195
Fax: (310) 481-7193

SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES

Poets & Writers Magazine
P.O. Box 422460
Palm Coast, FL 32142
Phone: (386) 246-0106
Web: Customer Service