In 2022, we at The Poetry Society of New York lost a dynamic, hilarious, and crucial member of our community: Jane Brinkley, PSNY’s former intern with a propensity for typewriters, yellow flowers, and riské art. She was not only a vital component to the 2021 New York City Poetry Festival, without whom it would not have been possible; she was a performer, poet, songbird, and a dear friend.

Every year, PSNY offers the Jane Brinkley Fellowship in her memory. Over the span of 10 weeks, a college student chosen out of our application field has the chance to work one-on-one with the widely published and highly-regarded poet, CAConrad. This mentorship coincides with our limited-capacity, MFA-grade Virtual Summer Intensive—to which they receive a full scholarship—and culminates in The New York City Poetry Festival, at which they are able to read on the festival’s main stage. With weekly meetings to guide them, PSNY’s fellow finishes their fellowship with a submission-ready chapbook or an equally thrilling, completed interdisciplinary project (which, if they so desire, they can showcase on festival grounds).

This fellowship will last from May 27th to September 6th, 2024. The awardee will receive $1000. To make our decision as equitable as possible, our fellow will be chosen on a completely blind basis; that being said, BIPOC, queer, and gender non-conforming folks are especially encouraged to apply. All applicants must be devoted to diversity, equity and inclusion, not take themselves too seriously, and have a profound love for weird and wonderful poetry.

ABOUT CACONRAD