Call for Poems for 2026-27

In partnership with the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance, poet and editor Megan Grumbling selects poems for Deep Water, a weekly poetry column in the Maine Sunday Telegram. Each edition of Deep Water includes a brief introduction by Megan contextualizing the week’s poem.

Like a beach with a sudden drop-off, the best poems put you in the cold ocean without warning: the sand under your feet falls away, your heart thuds in your chest, and it’s all you can do to stay afloat. This column will focus on poems with deep water in them, in their sudden change in temperature, in their ability to grab a reader’s attention, and in their marriage of form and content. Please note that "deep water" is meant metaphorically: water themes or imagery are not necessary for consideration.

Poems submitted to Deep Water should be written by Maine poets or by non-Mainers writing about Maine. Previously published poems will be accepted, but please note the date and place of publication with your submission. 

Reading time for submissions may last between 6 and 8 months; you may expect a response after June of 2027.      SUBMISSION GUIDELINES       

• Previously published poems may be submitted but must be noted as such. 
• Most poems chosen will be 35 lines or less, including stanza breaks. 
• Please be aware that a poem with complex lineation may be difficult to reproduce precisely, and that longer lines may need to be broken up in formatting for the column. 
• Please submit 3-5 poems in one document and one submission, and include a cover letter with a brief bio.    
• Poems may be by Maine poets on any subject matter, or by non-Mainers writing about Maine, or poems published by Maine publishers. 

      We look forward to reading your work!

UPCOMING DEADLINES

2026 Fall + Winter Multi-week Workshops September 30, 2026

2027 Black Fly Retreat & Spring Multi-week Workshops April 2, 2027

*No late applications will be accepted for any reason. 

 QUESTIONS? 

Contact MWPA executive director Gibson Fay-LeBlanc at director@mainewriters.org or 207-200-7180.

The Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance is now distributing Ex Libris Maine, an e-newsletter that exclusively profiles recently released books by MWPA members, twice per month. The newsletter is sent to a large group of recipients, including our entire MWPA membership and numerous literary organizations, bookstores, libraries, and Maine media contacts.

Inclusion in Ex Libris Maine is free for individual MWPA members to feature their own books. Publisher members may submit any and all books they publish.

PEASE NOTE: Ex Libris Maine is a members-only benefit and exclusively features books published within the current month or the two previous months. For example, the April, 2023 editions can feature titles published in April as well as March and February of 2023. In order to maintain Ex Libris Maine as a resource for newly released titles, we are not able to include books older than this window of time. Ex Libris Maine is published on the second Monday and last Monday of each month; submissions for each month must be received by 5:00 PM on the Thursday prior to the last Monday of the month to qualify for inclusion in a given month’s late edition.

MWPA reserves the right to make editorial changes to Ex Libris submissions to clarify content and ensure all profiles follow a similar format. In rare instances, if a submitted title does not align with MWPA's mission to support all Maine writers and foster an inclusive, representative literary community (You can read more about this purpose here), MWPA may decide not to feature a member's submitted book in a forthcoming Ex Libris.

If you have any questions, please contact Samara Doyon at exlibris@mainewriters.org.

Please complete the application below.   

Questions?
Contact MWPA executive director Gibson Fay-LeBlanc at director@mainewriters.org.

The Kline Scholarships for Maine Writers covers the cost of both a one-year membership to the MWPA (at the Find Maine Writers level) and registration fees for two MWPA writing workshops during the year. The scholarships are awarded on a mixture of need and merit, and applications are accepted through September each year. The MWPA is proud to offer these scholarships thanks to the generosity of critically acclaimed author Christina Baker Kline, whose bestselling novel Orphan Train became an international sensation in 2013. Kline’s 2017 novel A Piece of the World is set in Cushing, Maine and was inspired by the relationship between the artist Andrew Wyeth and the subject of his painting, Christina’s World. If you have any questions, please contact MWPA Executive Director Gibson Fay-LeBlanc at director@mainewriters.org.

Please fill out the application, include a statement of intent/need, and attach a work sample. QUESTIONS? Contact MWPA at programs@mainewriters.org or 207-200-7180.

There is no fee to apply for this residency. All applicants must be Maine residents and members of MWPA--we encourage those who are not to apply through the regular application process at Monson Arts. 

Before applying, please review these details: 

Location

Monson is located at the edge of Maine’s North Woods, 3.5 million acres of forest bordering Canada. It is the last town on the Appalachian Trail before the beginning of the 100-Mile Wilderness that leads to Mount Katahdin.

Eligibility

Please do not apply unless you can commit to at least one of these residency sessions. This opportunity is only open to MWPA members. Anyone can apply for a Monson Residency through their open application process. More info here: https://monsonarts.org/residencies/

SPRING 

3/29 - 4/22 - Residency  

4/26 - 5/20 - Residency 

5/24 - 6/3 - 2 week Residency  

FALL 

9/13 - 9/23 - 2 Week Residency 

9/27 -10/21 - Residency  

10/25 - 11/18 - Residency

Costs There is no fee apply or to attend this residency. Participants in the month-long residencies receive room, board, and studio space, along with a $500 stipend. For the two-week residency, participants will receive a $250 stipend.

Studio and Special Equipment

Basic studio space with desk.

Housing

Residents will be provided a private room with a shared bath.

Meals Residents will be provided meals during their month-long stay.

Companions Spouses, partners, and children are not allowed at this residency.

Internet Access

Access to the internet will be available at the residency.

Still interested in applying? Please fill out the short Submittable application via the link below. 

Deadline

All applications must be received by SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2026. 

No late applications will be accepted for any reason. 

Application

These are the items you'll be asked to submit: 

1. A statement of intent about why this opportunity at this moment is important to you (500-words or fewer) 
2. A brief bio statement about you (50-250 words) 
3. A work sample of up to 1000 words of prose or 5 poems.  

Questions? 

Contact MWPA executive director Gibson Fay-LeBlanc at director@mainewriters.org or 207-200-7180.