Swanson Emerging Poet Fellowship
Applying for the 2026 Fellowship
Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets has established a Swanson Emerging Poet Fellowship in honor of Richard Swanson, beloved member and former secretary of WFOP.
Description of Award
The emerging poet will receive a $750 honorarium and a 5-day residency at Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts located in Mineral Point, WI. Working with Shake Rag Alley staff, the Swanson Emerging Poet Fellow will provide a public outreach program, which can include a workshop, reading, or visit to schools or another community organization. Additionally, the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets will provide mentorship, a one-year membership, and opportunities to contribute to WFOP programming.
Qualifications
In addition to being a Wisconsin resident, the fellow must meet 2 out of the 3 following criteria:
No full-length poetry book
Between ages 18-45
No MFA or PhD in Poetry or Creative Writing
Applications Now Open
Submission window is December 5 2025 - January 20, 2026.
Questions?
If you have questions, please contact Adrienne Wallner at asjwriter@gmail.com.
About Our 2025 Fellow
Charles Payne
WFOP was delighted to announce the inaugural Swanson Emerging Poet Fellow, Charles Payne. Connection was what drives Charles, and this drive was what convinced us he was the perfect choice.
Charles Payne (he/him) is a poet, playwright, and social artist from Michigan. As a child, Payne loved hearing the sound of Paul Harvey's voice, Harvey’s innate ability to describe every intricate detail truly inspired Payne to tell stories himself. And, yes, he can't wait to give you the rest of the story. Find Charles on Instagram @cep34 and more of his writing here.
In selecting him for the honor, readers Amanda Reavey and Lora Keller noted all that he has done in his work in multiple contexts, his drive and passion, and the strong voice shared in his poems. In a Madison Magazine article, Payne said “What I love most about the art form of spoken word is that it allows for immediate connection.” He wrote in his application, “I am here with a purpose.”—Indeed. We are so excited to see how he transforms this world.
During his residency at Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts later this summer, Charles offered a workshop on slam poetry that fostered empathy and helped people see the world through different perspectives. Additionally, he will offered a workshop for emerging poets at the WFOP Conference in Madison last June.
The Swanson Emerging Poet Fellowship provides a $750 honorarium, a 5-day residency at Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts, and a membership through WFOP with mentorship opportunities.