CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS!

A big part of the Poet Laureate role is not only writing and sharing my own experiences here—the things I see that strike me as stories that need to be re-told—but also encouraging others to share their experiences and observations, to support arts participation and the capacity for connectedness it brings. All this leads me to a question: Do you have words to share? 

As a “city that tells its stories,” Richmond is bursting with creative energy, and we know its residents definitely have things to say. So for the first time, we’re inviting YOU to send your work for inclusion in one of our forthcoming city e-newsletters. 

We’re looking specifically for creative work that says something about the experience of living in Richmond today. What do you love? What could be improved? Are you moved by sunsets on the James? Or frustrated by the traffic over the Mayo Bridge? Or both at the same time?! Show us what it’s like in your day to day, or what makes a day here unlike anywhere else… make it beautiful. Make it hard. Make it sing.  

Guidelines for submission: 

–Any resident or full-time student living in the City of Richmond is welcome to send work.

–Your work can be in any genre (poetry, fiction, essay, for example) but should be NO longer than ONE page in length using a 12-pt. standard font (Times New Roman, Garamond, etc.). 

All work should be original and should not have been previously published. No AI-generated pieces will be considered. 

–Send your submission as an email attachment to askosc@rva.gov with “Newsletter Submission” in the subject line. The attachment should be in the form of .doc, .docx, or .pdf

–Please send only ONE submission per email. If you wish to submit multiple pieces, please send separate emails for each submission. 

–In the body of the email, please include a short statement about yourself and your connection to Richmond.

–Deadline to submit is midnight, November 16, 2025.