A Gust of August

Introduction

A warm breeze is blowing inspiration your way. Authors in Virginia and Pennsylvania in particular are hosting live events end of July and August, and we've hand-picked standout summer submissions opportunities for poets everywhere, from Poets & Writers, CLMP, and social media connections (we don't gatekeep here). Stay in the loop on how KB poets are getting the word out, for ideas to keep your own publicity journey's momentum. Thank you to everyone who sent your poetry news to Karen this month!

Have you ordered your copy of The Orchards yet? The latest issue of our in-house literary journal is a moody heatwave of passion and melancholy, poems for the highs and lows of the summer season.

Order your copy of The Orchards: Summer 2025 today! 

Plus, Fahmidan Journal's call for submissions — last but not least on this month's list of opportunities — is for poetry that incorporates a similar theme of sensuality in the summer. Check it out!

Events

Gladwyne, PA: Join Joyce Meyers at the Gladwyne Library this Tuesday, July 29 at 3:00 p.m. Joyce will discuss contemporary poetry and read selections from her two most recent books, Twisted Threads (Kelsay Books 2024) and Stray Moments (Blue Lights Press 2025). The poems in these two collections explore family relationships, love and loss, the natural world and its connection to human society, and our place in the universe. A Q&A and book signing will follow!

Charlottesville, VA: On Friday, August 29, Sharon Perkins Ackerman will be reading from her new collection, A Legacy of Birds at New Dominion Bookshop. This in-person event will be cosponsored by WriterHouse and will be free and open to the public. We recommend arriving early for the best seating. Click on image to learn more. 

ICYMI: Our Summer 2025 Zoom reading is now live on YouTube! 

If you would like to be considered to read at our biannual remote events, follow the instructions here! 

Awards

Congratulations Sally Stewart Mohney! Broken Grace at Low Tide won the Georgia Author of the Year award in the Poetry Chapbook category. 

Congratulations Christopher Fried! Analog Synthesis was named a Finalist for the 2025 International Book Awards in the Poetry: General category.

Congratulations Linda Neal Reising! Navigation was shortlisted for the International Rubery Award. 

Reviews

The US Review of Books featured Ribbons and Moths: Poems for Children by Laura Rodley!

Bonus! Pre-Release Publicity: "Thinking of My Brother Jack", from Joseph Leary's forthcoming collection, has been selected for inclusion in the Massachusetts Poetry Anthology of 2025!

Opportunities 

• She Writes Press is accepting submissions for their Equality in Publishing contest to elevate women writers of color, until August 31! 
• Bone Bouquet is always open to poetry reviews!
  
• Under a Warm Green Linden is open to poetry reviews and interviews year-round!
• Mudfish is accepting submissions by snail mail until August 15, so postmark your 5 finest poems ASAP!
• Fahmidan Journal is open for poetry and prose submissions year-round! Note that they are a UK Publisher and purchase First Serial Rights for $25.00.