Mission Statement

Poets & Writers believes in contemporary literature’s indispensable value to our national culture. Founded in 1970, the organization’s mission is 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.

P&W accomplishes this through Poets & Writers Magazine, an award-winning bimonthly publication; pw.org, a website that provides trustworthy advice, information, and a lively online community for writers; Readings/Workshops, which pays writers fees for giving readings and leading workshops throughout New York and California, as well as in eight cities outside those states; and awards for writers including the $50,000 Jackson Poetry Prize, the Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award, the Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award, and the Amy Award.