The Joe W. Bratcher Prize
Established in 2024, The Joe W. Bratcher Prize awards $8,000 and publication to a full-length poetry collection by an inspiring poet whose work pushes the boundaries of form, art and culture, and poetry that is urgent in its subject matter, with a heart that beats for change. This prize is in honor of Host Publications' late founder, publisher and mentor, Joe W. Bratcher, to honor his devotion to social justice.
Awardees are selected from our annual manuscript open call, during the period of March 1st through June 1st. Manuscripts must be submitted through our Submittable portal.
IMPORTANT DATES
- Submissions open March 1st, 2026
- Submissions close June 1st, 2026
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Early September 2026, all poets notified.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
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All submissions must be original work, previously unpublished as a collection.
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We are currently looking for full-length poetry collections.
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Your submission should be between 60-90 pages in length.
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Paginated, 12 pt. Times New Roman.
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Each poem should begin on its own page.
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Please include a table of contents and a cover page.
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Please submit your work as a PDF document.
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Please only submit work primarily written in English.
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Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw your submission if your manuscript has been accepted elsewhere.
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The writer must be based in the United States.
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We do not accept work that has been generated by artificial intelligence (AI).
AWARDEES
Book of Provocations, mónica teresa ortiz, 2024
they/she/he: ritual to forget your (un)becoming, dezireé a. brown, 2025
Grownfolk Blues: a musical in poems, Jae Nichelle, 2026 (forthcoming)