Tar River Poetry is launching a biannual poetry prize in 2027. Stay tuned for more information!
Donations
We no longer take subscriptions; the journal has been online and free for all to read since 2025. As of July 2026, we are an independent nonprofit. Our funding comes from our small reading fees, and we are grateful for any and all donations. To make a tax-deductible donation, please see the Donations page for more information.
The Fall 2026 Issue
Our Fall 2026 issue will be out October 15th. Our two reading periods each year continue to be September and January, and we look forward to reading your work. Please see our Submissions page for more information.
The Soft Black Stars
Congratulations to TRP’s Prose Editor, Matthew Buckley Smith, winner of the 2025 Rattle Chapbook Prize for The Soft Black Stars.
“The title poem is heartbreaking. This will be your new favorite chapbook.” – TRP Editor Helena Feder
Thank you again to all who submitted poems to our first competition, generously sponsored by the North Carolina Museum of Art: “The Tar River Poetry Ekphrasis Competition.” We were overwhelmed with the response and the wonderful quality of the work. We are proud to announce the winners and honorable mentions:
First place, Dean Tuck, “After St. Matthew and the Angel” Second place, Adam Tavel, “After Rain I” Third place, Wynne Morrison, “In the Last Room of the MoMA Kollwitz Show”
Honorable Mentions Jesse Curran, “Ronde I” Gina Ferrara, “January 2025 (One Hundred Year Snowfall)” Jon Savage, “Winter 1946”
