Smartish Pace

the best poetry magazine in the world, objectively speaking - est. 1998

Current Issue

Smartish Pace

  the best poetry magazine in the world,
  objectively speaking - est. 1998

Current Issue


Poetry News

Winners of the 23rd Annual Erskine J. Poetry Prize: 1st Patricia Davis-Muffett, 2nd Adam O. Davis, 3rd Jared Harél. Finalists: Allison Field Bell, Moira Egan, Rick Hilles, Laura Reece Hogan, A.M. Juster. All poems were published in Smartish Pace, Issue 31. Winners of the 20th Annual Beullah Rose Poetry Prize: 1st Whitney Walton, 2nd Emily Schulten, 3rd Carolyn Oliver. Finalists: Jessica Bowdoin, Susan Leary, Amy Ratto Parks. All poems were published in Smartish Pace, Issue 31.

So what is Smartish Pace?

Smartish Pace is an independent non-profit magazine in Baltimore that was founded by Editor Stephen Reichert in 1998. We've published over a dozen Pulitzer Prize winners and many poets for the first time. We've been the most fun at AWP for 20 years and hosted countless readings at over 50 venues and currently host a monthly reading series in Baltimore at Bird in Hand & The Ivy Bookshop. We also have a new baby website that is a bit of a mess but we're working on it and soon it will be as super as our old grown-up website so don't judge us too harshly right now. Just send us your poems.

Prizes

Erskine J. Poetry Prize (2024, published in 2025)

Deadline: February 1, 2025.

24th annual prize.  We allow simultaneous submissions. All poems submitted for the prize will be considered for publication in Smartish Pace. 2023 prize results: 1st Patricia Davis-Muffett, 2nd Adam O. Davis, 3rd Jared Harél. Finalists: Allison Field Bell, Moira Egan, Rick Hilles, Laura Reece Hogan, A.M. Juster. All poems were published in Smartish Pace, Issue 31. 

Click Here to Enter

Beullah Rose Poetry Prize (2024, published in 2025)

Deadline: February 1, 2025. 

21st annual prize. We allow simultaneous submissions. Women only. All poems submitted for the prize will be considered for publication in Smartish Pace. 2023 prize results: 1st Whitney Walton, 2nd Emily Schulten, 3rd Carolyn Oliver. Finalists: Jessica Bowdoin, Susan Leary, Amy Ratto Parks. All poems were published in Smartish Pace, Issue 31.

Click Here to Enter

Forthcoming Events

We host the monthly reading series THE HOT L every 2nd Sunday at 4 pm. In April, May, June, Sept & Oct at The Ivy Bookshop (5928 Falls Road, Baltimore, MD 21209) outside on a covered patio; and in Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb & March at Bird in Hand (11 E 33rd St, Baltimore, MD 21218) inside. Click here for event page and our next reading! Click here to view our past readings. Readings feature 1 to 3 poets and include the best open mic in Baltimore. No really, this is a rare great open mic, trust us. We take a break, with no readings, in July and Aug. Come join us!