Submissions for the 2024 Poetry Prize will open December 15, 2023.
The Furious Flower Poetry Prize for emerging writers is open for submissions from December 15 to February 15 annually ($15 submission fee). Poets with no more than one published book are invited to submit up to three poems (no more than a total of 6 pages) for consideration. The winner and honorable mention receive $1500 and $750 respectively and will be invited to read (virtually or in-person) as a part of the Furious Flower Reading Series. The winner, honorable mention, and select finalists will also be published in Obsidian. Winners are announced in late March/early April.
How to submit your work
Go to Submittable
- Make a free Submittable account
- Fill out the form and pay the non-refundable $15 submission fee
- Attach a pdf of your poems (no more than 6 pages) and ensure no identifying information is in the file
Past Winners
2023
- Alafia Nicole Sessions - Winner
- Marissa Davis - Honorable Mention
2022
- Ariana Benson - Winner
- Benin Lemus - Honorable Mention
2021
- Aurielle Marie - Winner
- Jennifer Bartell - Honorable Mention
2020
- Diamond Forde - Winner
- Nathan John - Honorable Mention
2019
- Rachelle Parker - Winner
- Cynthia Manick - Honorable Mention
Past Prizes
Furious Flower Quarantine Kwansaba Contest (2020)
Furious Flower Poetry Contest for emerging creative writers in response to the COVID-19 quarantine.
Winner:
Turning - Angel C. Dye
My panic does not move heaven so
I try turning instead; till terror into
verse, plant praise song and patient seeds
for what remains of spring. Breather- full,
deep. Drink salt- sweet to shed when
I weep, but I never wither. Intern;
turn inward, away from fear of still.
Finalists:
Glenis Redmond, Believed to be the First Black Woman Photographed with a Typewriter
Sherese Francis, Dream Conducts a Mother Tongue's Memory.
