2024 Winners
and Runners-Up
Established in 2018, Inverted Syntax started as an independently run art and literary magazine. We have been publishing annually in print and periodically online through the Fissured Tongue series since 2019. Beginning in 2024, Inverted Syntax magazine issues will move from a print format to our well-established online format of the Fissured Tongue Series. There will no longer be a print issue of the magazine. However, we are embarking on a new venture of publishing poetry books. With the help of Bookmobile for printing and Itasca Books for distribution services, Inverted Syntax will be publishing and debuting between 3-5 full-length poetry books beginning in the fall of 2026. Starting in 2024, we seek to identify up to five exceptional manuscripts for publication. Our editors are seeking work that risks everything. We favor the hybrid but welcome all writing. If it's well-crafted, uses language in daring ways, we want it.
A celebration of words that echo, inspire, and transcend.
After much anticipation, the moment has arrived unveiling the winner and runner up —
Winner
of the 2024 Aggrey Prize for Poetry:
POLLYNATION: A SEMINARY OF SELF
by SHERESE FRANCIS
Runner-Up:
SERENADES AND INCANTATIONS
by DEVYNITY WRAY.
Both books will be published by Inverted Syntax Press, coming in 2027.
Congratulations to our winner and runner-up.
After much anticipation, the moment has arrived unveiling the winner and runner up —
Winner
of the 2024 Aggrey Prize for Poetry:
POLLYNATION: A SEMINARY OF SELF
by SHERESE FRANCIS
Runner-Up:
SERENADES AND INCANTATIONS
by DEVYNITY WRAY.
Both books will be published by Inverted Syntax Press, coming in 2027.
Congratulations to our winner and runner-up.
About The Aggrey Prize for Poetry
This prize is dedicated to the discovery of exceptional first- or second-poetry collections written in English by a writer who identifies as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC) residing within the United States, regardless of citizenship. Named after the Aggrey family of Ghana, the prize seeks to identify, award, and honor those whose original work focuses on any aspect of life from the perspective of those within the BIPOC community. The poetry manuscript can be a hybrid, that is, it can intersect with any genre, including speculative prose and visual elements (note: we do not publish photographs and cannot print in color); essentially, we are looking for work that celebrates hybridity and resists genre specificity.
Judged by the editors of Inverted Syntax*, one winner will be selected with the possibility of runners-up.
Winner receives:
*Inclusivity statement
We value and respect all volunteers, readers, subscribers, submitters, and participants, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, and/or disability. Inverted Syntax editors are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming environment where our community of contributors and supporters feel valued.
Inverted Syntax stands in solidarity with the Palestinian plight for liberation. Read our October 2023 letter for more information.
This prize is dedicated to the discovery of exceptional first- or second-poetry collections written in English by a writer who identifies as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC) residing within the United States, regardless of citizenship. Named after the Aggrey family of Ghana, the prize seeks to identify, award, and honor those whose original work focuses on any aspect of life from the perspective of those within the BIPOC community. The poetry manuscript can be a hybrid, that is, it can intersect with any genre, including speculative prose and visual elements (note: we do not publish photographs and cannot print in color); essentially, we are looking for work that celebrates hybridity and resists genre specificity.
Judged by the editors of Inverted Syntax*, one winner will be selected with the possibility of runners-up.
Winner receives:
- Publication with Inverted Syntax Press (using Bookmobile for printing and Itasca Books for distribution).
- 25 author copies.
- $500 prize money.
- 5%-10% standard royalties on net receipts.
- Assistance in planning a reading launch with other writers within the winner's state and elsewhere when possible.
- Inverted Syntax-hosted online reading launch
- Weeklong writing retreat to a historic Victorian home located in Leadville, Colorado, with up to four members of your writing community.
- All other submission entries are also considered for publication and long-listing.
- Any work published beyond the winner and runner-up will receive everything listed above with the exception of the prize money and the writing retreat.
- The Aggrey Prize for Poetry is open to writers who identify as BIPOC, of any citizenship residing in the United States who have published no more than one book in any genre.
- Inclusion of other languages/ code-switching/meshing is very much welcome as long as the book is largely written in English.
- Theme: We are looking to amplify the myriad experiences, struggles, triumphs, and aspirations of the diverse narratives within the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities through the power of poetry. We aim to create a space for solidarity, healing, and empowerment, showcasing the richness and complexity of BIPOC voices in contemporary poetry. While there is no specific theme for this book contest, we encourage submissions that reflect on intersectional perspectives, including those that delve into themes of identity, cultural heritage, social justice, resilience, and the nuanced complexities of lived experiences. We encourage genre-breaking writing--hybrid, speculative, and experimental submissions.
- We will accept submissions between June 5 and August 15. The winner will be announced 6 months after the submission window closes.
- Please send a manuscript that is between 48-100 pages, not including front matter.
- The manuscript should be paginated and include a table of contents.
- Do not put your name on any page within the manuscript or in the file name.
- Include an acknowledgements page, for example, list any previously published poems.
- We accept simultaneous submissions. Notify us immediately if your work is picked up elsewhere.
- We accept multiple submissions, but each submission must be accompanied by its own fee.
- We will not accept changes to your manuscript during our review period.
- Anyone affiliated with the editors or reading staff of Inverted Syntax is not eligible.
- Any writer residing outside of the USA is not eligible.
- Submission Fee is $20 (Why we charge fees explained here)
- If the submission costs are a burden, please include an explanation of your situation and why you want to publish with Inverted Syntax, and we will send you a waiver for a reduced fee of $10.
- Inverted Syntax strongly encourages diverse and inclusive voices, especially those from under-represented and vulnerable communities, to consider submitting work to Inverted Syntax.
- Manuscripts are screened carefully by our aesthetically diverse volunteer editorial staff. If you are interested in being a reader for the Prize, contact us here.
- Before you submit, check that your work meets our standards. Work is automatically ignored, rejected, declined, dismissed if it contains any manner of abusive behavior and this extends to the creators of said work. To be clear: NO racism, NO misogyny, NO homophobia, NO sexism, NO transphobia, NO body-shaming, NO Islamophobia, NO Anti-semitism, NO xenophobia, absolutely no work that in any way perpetuate stereotypes.
*Inclusivity statement
We value and respect all volunteers, readers, subscribers, submitters, and participants, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, and/or disability. Inverted Syntax editors are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming environment where our community of contributors and supporters feel valued.
Inverted Syntax stands in solidarity with the Palestinian plight for liberation. Read our October 2023 letter for more information.
To stand with Palestine is to be human.
Read Inverted Syntax's letter of solidarity with Palestine:
Editors' Letter to the Community
Sublingua isn’t just a prize—it’s a vibe
work that echoes from another dimension, enchanting and at times unsettling, but always straight-up electrifying
Congratulations to
JESSICA REED,
Winner
of the 2024 Sublingua First Book Prize for Poetry,
with ALL MOTION SHE BELIEVES
and
MK FRANCISCO,
Runner-up,
with INSECTS OF THE DATA LAKE
Both books will be published by Inverted Syntax Press, coming in 2027.
We cant wait to see their words in the world!
work that echoes from another dimension, enchanting and at times unsettling, but always straight-up electrifying
Congratulations to
JESSICA REED,
Winner
of the 2024 Sublingua First Book Prize for Poetry,
with ALL MOTION SHE BELIEVES
and
MK FRANCISCO,
Runner-up,
with INSECTS OF THE DATA LAKE
Both books will be published by Inverted Syntax Press, coming in 2027.
We cant wait to see their words in the world!
About The Sublingua Prize for Poetry
In 2024 the Sublingua prize is dedicated to the discovery of an exceptional debut poetry collection written in English by a female-identifying writer of any citizenship residing in the United States who has not yet published or self-published a full-length manuscript in any genre nor a chapbook exceeding 25 pages. The poetry manuscript can be a hybrid, that is, it can intersect with any genre, including speculative prose and visual elements (note: we do not publish photographs and do not print in color); essentially, we are looking for work that celebrates hybridity and resists genre specificity.
Judged by the editors of Inverted Syntax*, one winner will be selected with the possibility of runners-up.
Winner receives:
Contest guidelines:
Additional guidelines:
*Inclusivity statement
We value and respect all volunteers, readers, subscribers, submitters, and participants, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, and/or disability. Inverted Syntax editors are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming environment where our community of contributors and supporters feel valued.
Inverted Syntax stands in solidarity with the Palestinian plight for liberation. Read our October 2023 letter for more information.
In 2024 the Sublingua prize is dedicated to the discovery of an exceptional debut poetry collection written in English by a female-identifying writer of any citizenship residing in the United States who has not yet published or self-published a full-length manuscript in any genre nor a chapbook exceeding 25 pages. The poetry manuscript can be a hybrid, that is, it can intersect with any genre, including speculative prose and visual elements (note: we do not publish photographs and do not print in color); essentially, we are looking for work that celebrates hybridity and resists genre specificity.
Judged by the editors of Inverted Syntax*, one winner will be selected with the possibility of runners-up.
Winner receives:
- Publication with Inverted Syntax Press (using Bookmobile for printing and Itasca Books for distribution).
- 25 author copies.
- $500 prize money.
- 5%-10% standard royalties on net receipts.
- Assistance in planning a reading launch with other writers within the winner's state and elsewhere when possible.
- Inverted Syntax-hosted online reading launch
- Weeklong writing retreat to a historic Victorian home located in Leadville, Colorado, with up to four members of your writing community.
- All other submission entries are also considered for publication and long-listing.
- Any work published beyond the winner and runner-up will receive everything listed above with the exception of the prize money and the writing retreat.
Contest guidelines:
- The Sublingua Prize for Poetry (1st Book Award) is open to female-identifying emerging writers of any citizenship residing in the United States who have not yet published or self-published a full-length manuscript in any genre, nor a chapbook exceeding 25 pages.
- We encourage genre-breaking writing--hybrid, speculative, and experimental submissions.
- Inclusion of other languages/ code-switching/meshing is very much welcome as long as the book is largely written in English.
- We will accept submissions between June 5 and August 15. The winner will be announced 6 months after the submission window closes.
- Please send a manuscript that is between 48-100 pages, not including front matter.
- The manuscript should be paginated and include a table of contents.
- Do not put your name on any page within the manuscript or in the file name.
- Include an acknowledgements page, for example, list any previously published poems.
- We accept simultaneous submissions. Notify us immediately if your work is picked up elsewhere.
- We accept multiple submissions, but each submission must be accompanied by its own fee.
- We will not accept changes to your manuscript during our review period.
- Anyone affiliated with the editors or reading staff of Inverted Syntax is not eligible.
- Any writer residing outside of the USA is not eligible.
- Submission Fee is $20
- If the submission costs are a burden, please include an explanation of your situation and why you want to publish with Inverted Syntax, and we will send you a waiver for a reduced fee of $10.
Additional guidelines:
- Inverted Syntax strongly encourages diverse and inclusive voices, especially those from under-represented and vulnerable communities, to consider submitting work to Inverted Syntax.
- Manuscripts are screened carefully by our aesthetically diverse volunteer editorial staff. If you are interested in being a reader for the Prize, contact us here.
- Before you submit, check that your work meets our standards. Work is automatically ignored, rejected, declined, dismissed if it contains any manner of abusive behavior and this extends to the creators of said work. To be clear: NO racism, NO misogyny, NO homophobia, NO sexism, NO transphobia, NO body-shaming, NO Islamophobia, NO Anti-semitism, NO xenophobia, absolutely no work that in any way perpetuate stereotypes.
*Inclusivity statement
We value and respect all volunteers, readers, subscribers, submitters, and participants, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, and/or disability. Inverted Syntax editors are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming environment where our community of contributors and supporters feel valued.
Inverted Syntax stands in solidarity with the Palestinian plight for liberation. Read our October 2023 letter for more information.
To stand with Palestine is to be human.
Read Inverted Syntax's letter of solidarity with Palestine:
Editors' Letter to the Community
No manuscripts were identified under this category in 2024
No manuscripts were identified under this category in 2024
The Tabbikha Prize for Poetry
This prize is dedicated to the discovery of exceptional first- or second-poetry works written in English by a writer of the S .W.A.N.A. diaspora. We invite all members of the South West Asian and North African region regardless of citizenship, residing within the United States to submit work. Named after the Tabbica (pronounced and sometimes spelled Tabbikha) family of Lebanon, the prize seeks to identify, award, and honor original work focused on any aspect of life within this particular diasporic experience. Diasporas can span up to several generations. The poetry manuscript can be a hybrid, that is, it can intersect with any genre, including speculative prose and visual elements (note: we do not publish photographs and cannot print in color); essentially, we are looking for work that celebrates hybridity and resists genre specificity.
SWANA is a decolonial word for the South West Asian/ North African (S.W.A.N.A.) region in place of Middle Eastern, Near Eastern, Arab World that typically have colonial, Eurocentric, and Orientalist origins.
Judged by the editors of Inverted Syntax*, one winner will be selected with the possibility of runners-up.
Winner receives:
*Inclusivity statement
We value and respect all volunteers, readers, subscribers, submitters, and participants, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, and/or disability. Inverted Syntax editors are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming environment where our community of contributors and supporters feel valued.
Inverted Syntax stands in solidarity with the Palestinian plight for liberation. Read our October 2023 letter for more information.
The Tabbikha Prize for Poetry
This prize is dedicated to the discovery of exceptional first- or second-poetry works written in English by a writer of the S .W.A.N.A. diaspora. We invite all members of the South West Asian and North African region regardless of citizenship, residing within the United States to submit work. Named after the Tabbica (pronounced and sometimes spelled Tabbikha) family of Lebanon, the prize seeks to identify, award, and honor original work focused on any aspect of life within this particular diasporic experience. Diasporas can span up to several generations. The poetry manuscript can be a hybrid, that is, it can intersect with any genre, including speculative prose and visual elements (note: we do not publish photographs and cannot print in color); essentially, we are looking for work that celebrates hybridity and resists genre specificity.
SWANA is a decolonial word for the South West Asian/ North African (S.W.A.N.A.) region in place of Middle Eastern, Near Eastern, Arab World that typically have colonial, Eurocentric, and Orientalist origins.
Judged by the editors of Inverted Syntax*, one winner will be selected with the possibility of runners-up.
Winner receives:
- Publication with Inverted Syntax Press (using Bookmobile for printing and Itasca Books for distribution).
- 25 author copies.
- $500 prize money.
- 5%-10% standard royalties on net receipts.
- Assistance in planning a reading launch with other writers within the winner's state and elsewhere when possible.
- Inverted Syntax-hosted online reading launch
- Weeklong writing retreat to a historic Victorian home located in Leadville, Colorado, with up to four members of your writing community.
- All other submission entries are also considered for publication and long-listing.
- Any work published beyond the winner and runner-up will receive everything listed above with the exception of the prize money and the writing retreat.
- The Tabbikha Prize for Poetry is open to writers of the S.W.A.N.A diaspora, of any citizenship, residing in the United States who have published no more than one book in any genre.
- Inclusion of other languages/ code-switching/meshing is very much welcome as long as the book is largely written in English.
- Theme: We strive to elevate the diverse narratives within the Southwest Asian and North African (S.W.A.N.A) diaspora, illuminating the myriad experiences, challenges, triumphs, and dreams. We invite all writers who identify with the South West Asian and North African region, residing within the United States, to submit work. We aim to create a space for solidarity, healing, and empowerment, spotlighting the richness and intricacy of voices within contemporary S .W.A.N.A. poetry. While there is no specific theme for this contest, we encourage writers to submit work that reflects on intersectional perspectives that explore the complexities of lived experiences, addressing themes such as diaspora, cultural heritage, tradition, displacement, and belonging--from navigating and negotiating aspects of identities, including ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, and socio-economic background. We encourage genre-breaking writing--hybrid, speculative, and experimental submissions.
- We will accept submissions between June 5 and August 15. The winner will be announced 6 months after the submission window closes.
- Please send a manuscript that is between 48-100 pages, not including front matter.
- The manuscript should be paginated and include a table of contents.
- Do not put your name on any page within the manuscript or in the file name.
- Include an acknowledgements page, for example, list any previously published poems.
- We accept simultaneous submissions. Notify us immediately if your work is picked up elsewhere.
- We accept multiple submissions, but each submission must be accompanied by its own fee.
- We will not accept changes to your manuscript during our review period.
- Anyone affiliated with the editors or reading staff of Inverted Syntax is not eligible.
- Any writer residing outside of the USA is not eligible.
- Submission Fee is $20
- If the submission costs are a burden, please include an explanation of your situation and why you want to publish with Inverted Syntax, and we will send you a waiver for a reduced fee of $10.
- Inverted Syntax strongly encourages diverse and inclusive voices, especially those from under-represented and vulnerable communities, to consider submitting work to Inverted Syntax.
- Manuscripts are screened carefully by our aesthetically diverse volunteer editorial staff. If you are interested in being a reader for the Prize, contact us here.
- Before you submit, check that your work meets our standards. Work is automatically ignored, rejected, declined, dismissed if it contains any manner of abusive behavior and this extends to the creators of said work. To be clear: NO racism, NO misogyny, NO homophobia, NO sexism, NO transphobia, NO body-shaming, NO Islamophobia, NO Anti-semitism, NO xenophobia, absolutely no work that in any way perpetuate stereotypes.
*Inclusivity statement
We value and respect all volunteers, readers, subscribers, submitters, and participants, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, and/or disability. Inverted Syntax editors are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming environment where our community of contributors and supporters feel valued.
Inverted Syntax stands in solidarity with the Palestinian plight for liberation. Read our October 2023 letter for more information.
To stand with Palestine is to be human.
Read Inverted Syntax's letter of solidarity with Palestine:
Editors' Letter to the Community
