The immigrant narrative is at the heart of the American experiment. However, despite the contributions of immigrants to the cultural, financial, scientific, and artistic makeup of the United States, there is no clear and consistent home for immigrant writings in the United States. To remedy this, Black Lawrence Press proudly announces Immigrant Writing at Black Lawrence Press, which consists of three innovative programs (The Black Lawrence Immigrant Writing Series, The Immigrant Writers on Immigrant Writing Series, and The Black Lawrence Fellowship for New Immigrant Authors) designed to support and provide a home for immigrant writers in the United States and fill a much-needed gap in the American literary community.
The Black Lawrence Immigrant Writing Series
Eligibility: Immigrant authors at any stage of their careers
Mission Statement
The Black Lawrence Immigrant Writing Series aims to provide a clear and consistent home for new Immigrant Writings in the U.S. Book selections will be made by a four-member editorial board composed of writers in the U.S. who are either immigrants or whose works focus on the immigrant experience. Selections will be based on merit with the goal of publishing the best works by immigrants. Poets and authors, at any stage of their careers, who identify as immigrants are welcome to submit a book manuscript of poetry or prose or a hybrid text for consideration. Submissions are accepted year-round. However, selections are made in June and November for a total of two books per year. In addition to publication, marketing, and a standard royalties contract from Black Lawrence Press, authors chosen for the Black Lawrence Immigrant Writing Series will receive a travel stipend of $500, which can be used for book tours or in any manner chosen by the authors.
Editorial Board:
Sun Yung Shin
Rigoberto Gonzalez
Ewa Chrusciel
Abayomi Animashaun
Advisory Board:
Barbara Jane Reyes
Ilya Kaminsky
Omofolabo Ajayi-Soyinka
Virgil Suarez
The Black Lawrence Immigrant Writing Series remains a self-standing body with complete autonomy within Black Lawrence Press, and its editorial and advisory boards are composed of immigrant writers and/or authors whose works explore the immigrant experience. Click here for Rules & Guidelines.
The Immigrant Writers on Immigrant Writing Series
Eligibility: Established and mid-career immigrant authors
Mission Statement
Immigrant Writers on Immigrant Writing is a Black Lawrence Press prose-series initiative aimed at addressing the dearth of critical consideration on new immigrant writings, especially by immigrant authors. With this stated goal, Black Lawrence Press will begin publishing book-length essays on immigrant writings and the immigrant experience by contemporary immigrant authors. Manuscripts will be solicited from established and mid-career authors living in the United States, who identify as immigrants and who, through their body of work, have demonstrated a clear commitment to addressing the complex issues of immigration, assimilation, and/or identity formation. Only solicited manuscripts will be considered for the series.
The Black Lawrence Fellowship for New Immigrant Authors
Eligibility: Immigrant authors with no more than one book
Mission Statement: In keeping with our commitment to being a clear and consistent home for immigrant writing, we are proud to announce The Black Lawrence Fellowship for New Immigrant Authors. The fellowship is for immigrant authors at the start of their literary careers, who have published no more than one book in any genre at the time of application. Applicants are welcome to submit a one page project proposal along with a five page writing sample. Successful applicants will receive a package of support that includes a free 12-month subscription to Sapling worth $50, a gift card in the amount of $150 to purchase books from Black Lawrence Press, a full manuscript consultation for a full-length project worth between $425 and $795, and $150 in cash. We will begin accepting submissions in January, 2025.