The JB Poetry Fellowship
Each year, Just Buffalo invites adult poets of all ages and stages of their career to apply for its Poetry Fellowship, which gives one talented writer a cash stipend to live and write in one of the nation’s most vibrant literary cities, plus an opportunity to read at an event curated by Just Buffalo Literary Center.
Give yourself the space to write and the time to focus.
Live in one of the nation’s most vibrant literary cities.
Read at an event curated by Just Buffalo Literary Center.
The Poetry Fellowship Award
- A cash stipend ($2,000 in 2026)
- One month of free lodging during August in a beautiful apartment in one of Buffalo’s most vibrant neighborhoods
- An opportunity to read at the Silo City Reading Series
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must be 21 years or older
- A completed application must be received by February 28, 2026 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time
- Past or present employees of Just Buffalo Literary Center are NOT eligible to apply
Apply for the 2026 JB Poetry Fellowship!
Applications for the 2026 JB Poetry Fellowship are officially open as of today, December 15, 2025!
Nabila Lovelace reading “Citizenship” at the August 30, 2025 Silo City Reading Series
The August 30, 2025 Silo City Reading Series event featuring the 2025 Just Buffalo Poetry Fellow Nabila Lovelace. Lovelace read brand new poems and poems from her collection Sons of Achilles (Yes Yes Books, 2018) in which her poem "Citizenship" appears.
Announcing the 2025 JBLC Poetry Fellow
We are thrilled to announce the winner of the 2025 Poetry Fellowship: Nabila Lovelace of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Their first book Sons of Achilles is available from YesYes Books. Lovelace will visit Buffalo this August for a writing residency and read at the August 30 Silo City Reading Series event.
Other JBWC Creative Writing Programs for Youth
The Just Buffalo Writing Center (JBWC) invites young writers & artists (ages 12-18) to join us for our FREE after-school creative writing programs for youth. Along with access to writing workshops, literary events, and one-on-one writing feedback, you’ll be provided platforms to share your work!
Creative Writing Programs for Youth
Our FREE after-school creative writing programs, including all youth writing workshops and other JBWC youth events, are aimed at young writers aged 12–18 and have options to join in-person or virtually.
Youth Publications
See what moves the young people of Western New York by checking out our youth publications. Featuring young writers from the after-school creative writing program at Just Buffalo Writing Center (JBWC), as well as other youth we work with across WNY, we are always astonished by what is voiced inside—and we’re sure you’ll be astonished, too.
In-School Programming & Field Trips
One of Just Buffalo’s greatest strengths is our ability to reach students of all ages and abilities—gifted and talented, at-risk, or special needs—and we’re proud to work with public, private, Catholic, and charter schools, as well as community centers throughout Western New York.
The Latest JBWC News
Stay up-to-date on the latest news from the Just Buffalo Writing Center.
Announcing “In Gratitude”: A City-Wide Practice of Hope
We are thrilled to announce "In Gratitude," a city-wide reading and writing initiative designed to bring our community together. This project invites us all to practice "unabashed gratitude"—a concept inspired by the renowned poet and essayist Ross Gay.
“Still Life” by Zazie Anastasopoulos
Presenting “Still Life” a short story by the 2024 JBWC Youth Fellow, Zazie Anastasopoulos.
Transmissions: Issue 6
Transmissions is a collection of youth writing edited and designed by Youth Ambassadors of Just Buffalo's Writing Center. Issue 6 features work that emerged from JBWC programs during the Spring of 2024.