Announcing the Torch Literary Arts Nominations for the Pushcart Prize

The Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses series, published every year since 1976, is considered one of the most important publishing projects in American history (Publishers Weekly). Learn more about the prize here.

We are thrilled to announce the following TORCH nominees:

POEMS

“Driving east on I-40, Aida is in the backseat staring out the window while the three of us sing along to Mary J. Blige’s “You Remind Me,” not thinking about the lyrics.” by Benin Lemus

“swole” by Dana Tenille Weekes

“Some Collective Nouns for Black Girls/What We Call Our Selves When We Are Alone/What We Named Our Young Selves in the Grimy Club Bathroom Where We Became Sisters”

by Zoë Gadegbeku

“Self Portrait as Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy in the Style of Gentileschi”

by Kameryn Alexa Carter

SHORT STORIES

“But Did You Die?” by Shinelle L. Espaillat

“Never Not Broken” by Clynthia Burton Graham

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Torch Literary Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit established to publish and promote creative writing by Black women. We publish contemporary writing by experienced and emerging writers alike. TORCH has featured work by Toi Derricotte, Tayari Jones, Sharon Bridgforth, Crystal Wilkinson, Patricia Smith, Natasha Trethewey, Elizabeth Alexander, and others. Programs include the Wildfire Reading Series, writing workshops, and retreats.

Help TORCH continue to publish and promote Black women writers by donating today.