Overview | Selection Criteria | How to Apply
Overview
Get the Word Out is a publicity incubator for early career authors. Under the mentorship of an accomplished book publicist, writers will develop and execute publicity strategies to maximize the exposure of their first book, reach readers, and create a platform to propel their literary careers.
Get the Word Out participants will:
Participate in a six-session online publicity workshop led by an experienced book publicist
Attend six online seminars with leading media, events, marketing, and sales professionals, and accomplished authors
Devote considerable time outside of scheduled sessions to implement book publicity strategies they are acquiring in workshops and seminars
Contribute to a peer learning community by sharing what works and what does not, helping each member of the cohort to amplify their impact
There is no application fee and no cost to those who are invited to participate. Learn about past Get the Word Out participants.
Meet the 2024 Poetry Cohort and Publicity Mentor
Congratulations to Nadia Alexis, Brent Ameneyro, Lory Bedikian, Saba Keramati, Eduardo Martinez, Matthew Nienow, Megan Pinto, Dorsia Smith, Dorinda Wegener, and Jordan Windholz our 2024 Get the Word Out poetry cohort!
2024 Poetry Publicity Mentor
Morgan LaRocca is the publicist at Milkweed Editions. Prior to joining Milkweed in 2022 they worked as a freelance publicist, publicity associate at Graywolf Press and served as marketing and publicity intern at Tin House Books. They are a graduate of Towson University and a proud Baltimorean.
Selection Criteria
Participants will be selected based on the strength of their statement of purpose, writing sample, and suitability for the program. Poets & Writers’ Programs & Partnerships staff will evaluate applications and select those invited to participate.
Get the Word Out is open to all eligible applicants. The program aims to support writers who might not otherwise have access to in-depth publicity support and to help develop strong literary voices nationwide. To that end, we encourage applications from writers who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or person of color), writers with disabilities, LGBTQ+ writers, writers from outside of New York City, writers who do not have an MFA or equivalent degree, and writers whose books are slated to be published by independent presses.
The selection decisions of Poets & Writers will be final and not subject to review.
How to Apply
Authors can apply to the program via Poet & Writers’ online Formstack application. Applications must include:
A completed application form
A statement of purpose (max: 1,000 words)
A double-spaced excerpt (max: 10 pages) in 12 pt. font from your forthcoming novel or short story collection
An author bio (max: 250 words)
Applications for the 2024 Fiction Cohort will open September 2024.
For more information, please send an email to programs@pw.org.
Supporters
Get the Word Out was developed with funding from Leonard and Louise Riggio, with additional support from Macmillan Publishers.