< Back Torch Literary Arts Welcomes New Team Members Oct 18, 2024 Thanks to capacity-building funding, Torch adds a Creative Content Associate and Administrative Fellow to the Team. Torch Literary Arts is growing and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome two new team members to help further our mission to amplify Black women writers. We’re excited to announce that Creative Content Associate, Elena Johnson, and 2024 Administrative Fellow, Bri Nunn, have joined the Torch family. As the Creative Content Associate, Elena will amplify the work that Torch is facilitating on all of Torch’s social media platforms. She will be in charge of creating unique and engaging concepts that further communicate the deep impact Torch has on Black women writers across the world. Bri’s Administrative Fellowship will immerse her in the various roles of nonprofit structure including programming, creative content, communications, and evaluation. This allows a true hands-on learning experience for her to grasp the full spectrum of what it takes to run a nonprofit. We’re ecstatic to welcome these two phenomenal women to the team and are excited to see what they accomplish! Elena Johnson is a creative writer and social media strategist based in Austin, TX, with a BA in English and a minor in Journalism from The City College of New York. Elena has developed and executed strategies that enhanced audience engagement for digital newsrooms like Business Insider and The Yellow Tulip Project. Her articles on equitable education, community, and social identity have been featured in The Guardian, HarlemView, and Chalkbeat. Driven by a journalistic approach to digital production, Elena creates meaningful, engaging content that educates, inspires, and fosters deep connections with the audience. She combines her passion for mental health advocacy, art, and uplifting Black women with her expertise in digital content, working to amplify their experiences and voices through literature and multimedia storytelling. In her spare time, Elena enjoys reading, painting, and writing poetry, drawing inspiration from nature and the world around her. Bri Nunn is a current Huston-Tillotson student majoring in Communications, with a specification in TV and film. She is a writer, a poet, and a mother of two beautiful girls. She currently has a three-year-old podcast called, “Bri The Black Sheep” that discusses the intersectionality of Black Womanhood through her humorous dialect. Her previous work includes being an advocate for those facing and escaping domestic violence, as well as teaching vulnerable folks how to have healthier relationships. She plans to use her degree to create stories for young Black girls so that they can see themselves represented more in the media. Her ultimate goal is to develop a non-profit that allows them to have a space where they can freely exist and feel cared for. You can see the full list of our employees and board members here . ### About Torch Literary Arts Torch Literary Arts (TORCH) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit established with love and intention in 2006 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. Media Contact Information: Brittany Heckard Communications Associate bheckard@torchliteraryarts.org (512) 641-9251 Previous Next

< Back Celebrating the Intersectionalities of Black Women Writers Jun 5, 2025 June is a month full of pride for queer, Caribbean, and song-filled Black women writers and the readers who love them. Black women writers are not a monolith and we celebrate each intersectional identity, especially in June. Writers from all over the diaspora are recognized for the experience that produced the unique storytelling we all value. This June is a Black, queer, Caribbean, and music-filled month for Torch. This June 19, we’ll be celebrating 160 years of Juneteenth. Now a federal holiday, Juneteenth was the official “end” of slavery, with the final word delivered to Galveston Island two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Torch is a proud Texas-based, Black-led organization from the South. Our work builds on the freedom our ancestors fought for by providing a community for Black women to freely share their stories. Pride Month occurs every June and is a consistent reminder that intersectionality is important in storytelling. Queer Black women and nonbinary writers continuously challenge the theoretical framework of gender, love, power, and sexuality in an undaunted and radical way. Lack of representation and lived experiences from these writers would lead to silenced and stifled viewpoints of all Black identities. June is also a time to celebrate Caribbean American writers during National Caribbean American Heritage Month. As an international organization, we welcome writers from all over and celebrate their unique voices in Torch Magazine and at our curated programs. Music is poetry, and June is the perfect time to celebrate Black Music Month. From workshops to events, Torch continuously supports Black women songwriters who merge music and poetry to produce memorable lyrics and tunes we sing in the shower or belt in our cars. Want to celebrate the work we’re doing to amplify every Black woman writer? Consider becoming a Community Impact Member (CIM) by donating at least $10 a month or $100 annually . Below are a few ways you can celebrate each month specifically. Celebrate Juneteenth: Attend These Torch Events June 9th – Torch Writing Circle June 20th – Carrying the Torch June 21st – Torch Writing Circle June 24th – Bloomsday & Beyond featuring Emma Dabiri presented by Torch and the Consulate General of Ireland Celebrate Pride Month: Read Work from Some of Torch Magazine’s Queer Features January 2025 Feature Alexis Pauline Gumbs July 2024 Feature Mecca Jamilah Sullivan Talicha J Ariel Moniz Shams Alkamil Celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month: Read Work from Some of Torch Magazine’s Caribbean Features Puschart Prize Winner Yael Valencia Aldana April 2025 Feature Tanya Shirley Savannah Balmir Tyra Douyon c.r. glasgow Celebrate Black Music Month: Read Work from Some of Torch Magazine’s Songwriters August 2024 Feature Andrea Vocab Sanderson January 2022 Feature Shayla Lawson Alexa Patrick ### About Torch Literary Arts Torch Literary Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established with love and intention in 2006 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, workshops, an annual retreat, and special events. Help Torch continue to publish and promote Black women writers by donating today. Media Contact Information: Brittany Heckard Communications Associate bheckard@torchliteraryarts.org (512) 641-9251 Previous Next

< Back Torch Returns to the 2026 AWP Conference in Baltimore Mar 3, 2026 For four days, Torch will join other writing organizations, writers, publishers, students, and more at the largest literary conference in the country. Just one year after being awarded the inaugural Writing Organization Award by the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) , Torch is returning to the conference to highlight Black women writers. Events include a 20th Anniversary panel, Torch Feature & Fellow book signings, a Torch community photo, and more. Our Book Fair location will be booth #1264 . AWP recognizes writing conferences, festivals, centers, and other organizations that serve the writing community. AWP’s mission is to amplify the voices of writers and the academic programs and organizations that serve them. The association is committed to its members and the literary community, preserving writers’ intellectual property and their staff. The nonprofit was established in 1967 by fifteen writers across thirteen creative writing programs. You can learn more about AWP at awpwriter.org . We are excited to reunite with Torch community members, including Features, Fellows, workshop attendees, readers, and supporters! Don’t miss our programs: Thursday, March 5: 11:00 a.m. - Torch Fellow m. mick powell , author of Dead Girl Cameo , will be at our booth at 11 a.m. for a book signing. 12:15 p.m . - Attend our Torch 20th Anniversary Reading featuring Saida Agostini, Teri Ellen Cross Davis, Mecca Jamilah Sullivan, Ph.D., and Amanda Johnston in Room 318-319, Level 300, Baltimore Convention Center (Session Code: T164). Friday, March 6: 11:00 a.m. - Torch Feature by Khalisa Rae , author of Ghost in a Black Girl’s Throat , will be at our booth for a book signing. Saturday, March 7: 11:00 a.m. - Join the Torch community at Torch booth #1264for a group photo! About Torch Literary Arts Torch Literary Arts (Torch) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit established with love and intention in 2006 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. About AWP AWP is a professional association of creative writers and writing programs. AWP provides support, advocacy, resources, and community to nearly 50,000 writers, 550 college and university creative writing programs, and 150 writers’ conferences and centers. The AWP Conference & Bookfair is the annual destination for writers, teachers, students, editors, and publishers of contemporary creative writing. It includes thousands of attendees, hundreds of events and bookfair exhibitors, and four days of essential literary conversation and celebration. About m. mick powell m. mick powell is a queer Black Cape Verdean femme, an artist, an Aries, and the author of the chapbook threesome in the last Toyota Celica (Host Publications, 2023). Their debut full-length collection, DEAD GIRL CAMEO , is forthcoming from One World Books/Random House in Summer 2025. An assistant professor of Gender and Sexuality Studies at the University of Connecticut and a 2023 Tin House Resident, mick enjoys chasing waterfalls and being in love. Keep up with them at www.mickpowellpoet.com or @ mickmakesmagic.art on IG. About Saida Agostini Saida Agostini is a queer Afro-Guyanese poet, and author of the full-length collection, let the dead in (Alan Squire Publishing, 2022). A Cave Canem Graduate Fellow, she has been awarded residencies at Saltonstall, VCCA and Blue Mountain Center, amongst others. About Teri Ellen Cross Davis Teri Ellen Cross Davis is the author of a more perfect Union and Haint . Her fellowships and awards include The Journal/Charles B. Wheeler Poetry Prize, the Ohioana Book Award for Poetry, and a Maryland Individual Artist Award. She curated the O.B. Poetry Series at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington D.C. About Mecca Jamilah Sullivan, Ph.D. Mecca Jamilah Sullivan, Ph.D., is the author of three books: Big Girl , a New York Times Editors’ Choice and winner of the Balcones Fiction Prize and the Next Generation Indie Book Award for First Novel; T he Poetics of Difference: Queer Feminist Forms in the African Diaspora , winner of the William Sanders Scarborough Prize from the MLA; and the short story collection, Blue Talk and Love , winner of the Judith Markowitz Award from Lambda Literary. She has earned honors from Bread Loaf, the Institute for Citizens and Scholars, the Mellon Foundation, the Center for Fiction, the NEA, and others. Originally from Harlem, NY, she is Professor of English at Georgetown University in Washington DC. About Khalisa Rae Khalisa Rae is an award-winning poet, educator, and journalist in Durham, NC. She is the author of the debut poetry collection, Ghost in a Black Girl's Throat (Red Hen Press 2021), and Contributing Writer for Kindred . Her essays are featured in Autostraddle , Catapult , LitHub , as well as articles in Jezebel , Blavity , B*tch Media , NBC-BLK, and others. Her poetry appears in Southern Humanities Review , Gravy , Frontier Poetry , Florida Review , Rust & Moth , PANK , HOBART , among countless others. She is the winner of the Appy Award, Vulgar Genius, Bright Wings Poetry contest, the Furious Flower Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Prize, among other prizes. Currently, she serves as Publications Coordinator for Split This Rock and EIC of Think in Ink BIPOC collective. Her YA novel in verse, Unlearning Eden , is forthcoming. Follow Khalisa on her website and on Instagram . About Amanda Johnston Amanda Johnston is a writer, visual artist, and the 61st Poet Laureate of Texas. She earned an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Southern Maine. She is the author of two chapbooks, GUAP and Lock & Key , as well as the full-length collection Another Way to Say Enter. She is also the editor of the anthology Praisesong for the People: Poems from the Heart and Soul of Texas . Her work has appeared in numerous online and print publications, among them Callaloo , Poetry Magazine , The Moth Radio Hour, Bill Moyers, The Rumpus , and elsewhere. She has received fellowships, grants, and awards from Cave Canem, Hedgebrook, Tasajillo, the Kentucky Foundation for Women, The Watermill Center, American Short Fiction, and the Academy of American Poets. She is a former Board President of the Cave Canem Foundation and the founder of Torch Literary Arts. Media Contact Information: Brittany Heckard Communications Associate bheckard@torchliteraryarts.org (512) 641-9251 Previous Next

< Back Torch Announces First Ever Nominations for Best New Poets Anthology Apr 29, 2026 Two Torch Features, Tiezst "Tie" Taylor and Mecca M. Miles, are Torch’s inaugural nominees for their outstanding poems. In celebrating National Poetry Month and of 20 years of creating space for Black women writers, Torch is excited to nominate two poems from Torch Magazine to the Best New Poets Anthology. This is the first time Torch has nominated poets, and is excited to add another national recognition to the many nominations Torch Features can be considered for. Other prizes Torch nominates its writers for include Best of the Net, the Pushcart Prize, and O. Henry Prize. “Nominating Torch Features for awards is one of the best parts of being Associate Editor for Torch Magazine,” said associate editor Jae Nichelle. “In this literary landscape where Black women writers have so many barriers to entry, nominating our features gives us one more way to spotlight the incredible writers in our community.” Created in 2005, the Best New Poets Anthology focuses on highlighting 50 poems from emerging writers across the United States and Canada. Nominations can come from literary magazines, annual writing competitions, and graduate-level programs. You can learn more about the Best New Poets Anthology here . Our Two Torch Nominees Are: " High John [a duplex] " by Tiezst "Tie" Taylor " God Whispers on Leyland Drive " by Mecca M. Miles ### About Torch Literary Arts Torch Literary Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit established with love and intention in 2006 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, workshops, an annual retreat, and special events. Help Torch continue to publish and promote Black women writers by donating today. About Tiezst "Tie" Taylor Tiezst “Tie” Taylor is a Disabled Black femme who is non-binary trans. They are a radical educator, artist-activist, poet, and storyteller. They have earned degrees in education (B.A. in the individualized major of Teaching for Social Justice, New York University & M.S.Ed in Elementary Education, University of Pennsylvania), and are a proponent of disability justice and abolitionist frameworks. Their work explores their experiences in surviving: Disability and severe mental illness; intergenerational trauma and poverty; and intersecting forms of oppression. They use their art and research to educate, heal, nurture, radicalize, and catalyze change for all marginalized peoples. Tiezst is an Emerge 2025 Fellow with San Francisco State University’s Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability, where they are working on an essay for publication on the criminalization of mental illness as it intersects with Black woman / femme identity. They were a Spring 2024 Brooklyn Poets Fellow and a past awardee of the NYSCA/NYFA Artists with Disabilities Grant. Tie’s work appears or is upcoming in Lucky Jefferson , Querencia Press , Midway Journal , Shō Poetry Journal , and ANMLY . Follow Tiezst on Instagram @tiezst. About Mecca M. Miles Mecca M. Miles is a Black, queer writer and spoken word poet from San Antonio, Texas. Her work has appeared in such publications as Wellspringwords Literary Anthology , The San Antonio Review , Texas Bards Anthology , When the River Speaks , Voices de la Luna , Voices Along the River , and has been featured on Best of Button Poetry . She has competed nationwide, taking 8th in Florida at the Exit 36 Slam in 2023 and 8th in Dallas, TX at the Right to Write Slam in 2024. She has featured at a number of local venues and is the 2024/2025 Poetry Grand Slam Champion of San Antonio, TX. Media Contact Information: Brittany Heckard Communications Associate bheckard@torchliteraryarts.org (512) 641-9251 Previous Next

< Back Rachel E. Winston Board Secretary Rachel E. Winston is an archivist and curator based out of Austin, TX. She is the founding Black Diaspora Archivist at The University of Texas at Austin, where she leads the effort to build a library special collection documenting the Black experience across the Americas and Caribbean.

Torch Literary Arts' annual impact and financial reports. 2024-2026 Strategic Plan In the fall of 2023, Torch Literary Arts began a strategic planning process, a first in the organization's history, to prepare for the future and chart a path of continued growth and success in fulfilling Torch's mission to create advancement opportunities for Black women writers. This three-year plan outlines the strategic priorities for Torch Literary Arts' board of directors, leadership and team, and community stakeholders. The strategic plan is a commitment to intentional and responsible growth to meet the needs of Torch's community today and tomorrow. Join us in the process and mark your calendar to celebrate Torch Literary Arts' 20th anniversary in 2026! Annual Reports 2022 Annual Report IRS Form 990

Photos, video, and audio captured at Torch events. Go to link 1/1

Torch Magazine Torch Magazine is the online publication of Torch Literary Arts. Established in 2006 to celebrate creative writing by Black women writers across the diaspora, Torch publishes poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and scripts (plays and screenplays) by emerging and experienced writers. Accepted features are paid for publication. See the submission guidelines for details. Editor: Amanda Johnston Associate Editor: Jae Nichelle Monthly Feature Friday Features Visual Artist Explore All Features Archive Submit Artwork by 2025 Torch Visual Artist, Nitashia Johnson Monthly Feature Friday Features POETRY Friday Feature: Nnenna Loveth Nnenna Loveth (they/she) is an Igbo lesbian poet, dancer, and facilitator who tells stories of liberated Black matrilineal futures. They are utilizing the relationship between dance and poetry to explore themes of Black sapphic intimacies, mother-daughter connections, Odinala, and healing from christian-colonial missions. Her work has been published with Game Over Books, Button Poetry, Voicemail Poems, Beestung Magazine, etc. When Nnenna is not creating, they are somewhere be FICTION Friday Feature: Elaine Omwango Elaine Omwango is a lawyer who has spent the last decade reading and writing speculative fiction. Her previous and forthcoming publications in Flame Tree Publishing, the African Writer, and Mystery Publishers explore Afro-modernity and Afro-futurism through the lens of familial, societal, and economic relationships. Born and raised in Nairobi, she is a lover of iced coffee, sunny days, and dancing. When not battling mystical creatures and journeying across mythical lands, she CREATIVE NONFICTION Friday Feature: Amanda Borquaye Amanda Borquaye is a Ghanaian-American creative nonfiction writer from the American South. She writes from the interior of a youngest daughter in an immigrant family, using the lyrical essay as a way to wade through the fragility of belonging in a decaying empire. Her work embodies the necropolitical, exploring who is allowed to live and who must die in the context of immigrant identity. By day, she works in humanitarian response and international development. She is an alum SCRIPT Friday Feature: JUSTICE Born in Jackson, Tennessee, JUSTICE is a rising film director, screenwriter, and producer. After attending film school at Belmont University, JUSTICE began her career in film and television by crewing on various local productions. While gaining insight into the inner workings of the industry, she simultaneously tends to the hunger of telling her own stories. JUSTICE believes the world lacks perspectives in Black stories rooted in societal abnormality, social commentary, and 2025 Torch Visual Artist: Nitashia Johnson Nitashia Johnson is a multimedia visual artist and educator from Dallas, Texas whose work has been exhibited across Texas and internationally. To care about stories is to care about the world, and understanding our own gives us purpose. For as long as she can remember, storytelling through art has been Nitashia Johnson’s way of understanding the world around her and her place within it. As a multidisciplinary artist and educator from Dallas, Texas, her journey since life st ARCHIVE Explore Torch Magazine's archive featuring Toi Derricotte, Tayari Jones, Sharon Bridgforth, Crystal Wilkinson, Patricia Smith, Natasha Trethewey, Elizabeth Alexander, Sapphire, and others. View archived artwork by featured visual artists Toyin Odutola, Wura-Natasha Ogunji, Dawn Okoro, and more. Enter Submit to Torch Magazine Black women writers from across the diaspora are invited to submit to Torch Magazine to be considered for a Friday Feature. There is no fee to submit and all accepted features are paid for publication. See our submission guidelines on Submittable for details. Submit

< Back Torch Literary Arts Welcomes Erin Waelder to the Board of Directors Brittany Heckard Jul 19, 2024 Erin was welcomed to the board in June, bringing her extensive background in development communications. AUSTIN, Tex., July 19, 2024 – Torch Literary Arts is pleased to welcome Erin Waelder to the Board of Directors. Her experience and knowledge in the arts as a development and marketing leader will add innovative fundraising initiatives and guide the leadership team as Torch grows. Erin is a nonprofit arts professional in Austin, TX. As a member of the Development and Marketing teams at the Paramount & State Theatres, she helps manage annual fund campaigns, donor communications, and special content across the organization’s platforms. She has over a decade of experience in fundraising and patron services through her previous positions at Ballet Austin, the Paramount & State Theatres, and the Bullock Texas State History Museum. She is the immediate past Chair of the Community Advisory Board at Austin PBS and volunteers with Preservation Austin. Erin graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from St. Edward’s University. She is dedicated to creating meaningful connections to the community through storytelling and the arts. You can see the full list of directors and advisory board members here . ### About Torch Literary Arts Torch Literary Arts (TORCH) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit established with love and intention in 2006 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. Media Contact Information: Brittany Heckard Communications Associate bheckard@torchliteraryarts.org (512) 641-9251 Previous Next

< Back Celebrate Pride Month by Amplifying Queer Black Voices Brittany Heckard Jun 5, 2024 At Torch, we recognize the many impactful contributions that queer Black women writers have given us and wish a Happy Pride to all those celebrating! Every June, we’re proud to say we’re an inclusive organization that welcomes and champions the voices of queer Black women and nonbinary writers across the diaspora. Self-expression is one of the freest ways to love yourself, and we want to thank every queer writer who has submitted to Torch and shared their work. This Pride Month, we want to acknowledge and amplify the journeys and queer experiences of our writers. Whether their work explicitly discusses being Black and queer or not, we want everyone to know their voice is celebrated at Torch. In celebrating queer voices, we want to challenge all of our readers to explore and read works from queer writers this and every month. Some of the most revolutionary creative non-fiction, heartfelt poems, and catchiest songs are written by queer Black voices! Torch is always dedicated to creating a welcoming space for queer folk, but this month we want you to join in! Below are a couple of different ways you can continue inspiring inclusion during Pride Month with Torch. Events Amplifying Queer Voices June 18th - The Salon June 28th - Say Word Read Work from Some of Torch Magazine’s Queer Features NitaJade Arisa White DeShara Suggs-Joe Ariana Brown Cindy Elizabeth ### About Torch Literary Arts Torch Literary Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit established with love and intention in 2006 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, workshops, an annual retreat, and special events. Help Torch continue to publish and promote Black women writers by donating today. Media Contact Information: Brittany Heckard Communications Associate bheckard@torchliteraryarts.org (512) 641-9251 Previous Next

< Back Torch Literary Arts Releases 2024 Fall Season Aug 29, 2024 Torch’s 2024 Fall Season includes international poets, a screenwriting panel, workshops on character building and memoirs, the Wildfire Reading Series, and more! Following successful spring and summer seasons, and our August birthday celebration, Torch is excited to kick off our Fall Season this September. This Fall season, you can expect insightful workshops on character building, conversations on screenwriting, a visit from two Irish poets in collaboration with Texas State University and Culture Ireland, and so much more! You can RSVP to Torch’s Fall 2024 events by visiting torchliteraryarts.org/events . Our special events this season include: September 12 Workshop: It’s Your World: Character and World Building with Jennine “Doc” Kreuger September 25 In Conversation Series: Screenwriting Panel with Maya Perez and Shia Shabazz Smith September 28 Wildfire Reading Series: Icess Fernandez Rojas , author of The Opposite of Breathing is Cement: Poetry and Prose at Resistencia Books October 2-23 Workshop: Deborah Deep Mouton’s 4-week workshop on writing and developing a memoir October 9,10, and 12 Writing Across the Diaspora Reading & Conversation: Irish poets Nithy Kasa and FELISPEAKS will read from their works in Austin and at Texas State University. The poets will also provide free public workshops. November 7 Workshop: Questions for the Self: Using Found Text with Victoria Newton Ford November 13 Wildfire Reading Series: Krystal Marquis , author of The Davenports at Black Pearl Books November 15 and 16: Torch x Texas Book Festival: Poets Lynne Thompson and Morgan Parker will read from their works and speak on a panel during the 2024 Texas Book Festival Stay tuned for more fall events!! ### About Torch Literary Arts Torch Literary Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit established with love and intention in 2006 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. For more information about Torch Literary Arts, please visit https://www.torchliteraryarts.org/ or follow @torchliteraryarts on Instagram. Help Torch continue to publish and promote Black women writers by donating today. Media Contact Information: Brittany Heckard Communications Associate bheckard@torchliteraryarts.org (512) 641-9251 Previous Next

< Back Torch Literary Arts to Open Applications for the 2025 Torch Retreat on February 3rd Jan 10, 2025 The Torch Retreat will host its third annual writing retreat for Black women writers at the Colton House in Austin, Texas from July 20-27, 2025. AUSTIN, Tex., January 10, 2025 – Torch Literary Arts (Torch) is excited to announce the return of the annual Torch Retreat, a week-long paid creative writing retreat for Black women writers to gather in community, complete works-in-progress, and rest. The retreat application opens on February 3rd and will close on February 17th at 11:59 pm (CST). Interested writers with works-in-progress across poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and script (plays and screenplays) can learn more about the retreat application guidelines at torchliteraryarts.org/retreat . “I love that Torch can provide a nurturing environment for Fellows to rest, learn from special guests, and commune with each other,” said Amanda Johnston, executive director. “I’m proud of the space the retreat offers and excited by what happens when you empower Black women to write their stories.” For a third year, retreat fellows will return to the Colton House from July 20-27 for a week-long stay where they will have the opportunity to work on their unfinished projects. The Retreat Fellowship will conclude with a reading at the George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center. Every retreat fellow receives a $1,000 stipend to help with costs associated with travel, supplies, or simply peace of mind while they focus on their work. Fellows are paired according to their genre in a two-bedroom suite with their own private bedroom and bathroom. The Torch Retreat’s inaugural fellowship started in 2023 with six fellows writing across poetry, fiction, and script. Our 2023 retreat fellows include Ashley M. Coleman, Ajanaė Dawkins, Victoria Newton Ford, Ashunda Norris, Obinwanne Nwizu, and Keya Vance. Our 2024 retreat fellows include Sandra Jackson-Opoku, m. mick powell, Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo, Deborah D.E.E.P Mouton, DW McKinney, Elizabeth Brown, Meredith L. King, and Destiny Hemphill. ### About Torch Literary Arts Torch Literary Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit established with love and intention in 2006 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, workshops, an annual retreat, and special events. Help Torch continue to publish and promote Black women writers by donating today. Media Contact Information: Brittany Heckard Communications Associate bheckard@torchliteraryarts.org (512) 641-9251 Previous Next