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 Next Reading Period and the Fall 2026 Issue
The next reading period opens September 1st, during which we will read for our Spring 2027 issue. Our Fall 2026 issue will be out in mid October. 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”
Congratulations!
The Tar River Poetry Ekphrasis Competition Reading
Authors from “The Tar River Poetry Ekphrasis Competition” were invited to read their work at the Tar River Poetry Ekphrasis event at the NCMA End Paper Festival on Sunday, September 21st at 11am. The event was free and open to the public.
We thank everyone who was able to make the event. We were glad to see you there! Please also look for these poems in the Spring 2026 issue of Tar River Poetry.
