FIRST THINGS poetry editor Micah Mattix explains why poetry is an antidote to our utilitarian age. Become a supporter and help bring the light of poetry to readers around the world. supportfirstthings.com/video

Start the year off right by sending us your best! The judges for 2025, Randall Mann and Nancy Jooyoun Kim, are eager to see what you’ve been crafting.

In his latest fiction column, John Wilson recommends novels published in 2024 that you won't find on most year-end lists: prufrock.substack.com/p/the-uncommon…

“When Alison and Edward published a biography of Andrew Young in 1997, it was clearly with the intention of pulling his work out of the obscurity into which it had fallen.” Read “Vicar’s vision,” by Micah Mattix. Micah Mattix newcriterion.com/article/vicars…

Featuring: Steve Larkin on Milton and “Mansfield Park,” Micah Mattix on The New Criterion on the poetry of Andrew Young, Caroline Eden in Engelsberg Ideas on a book about plants and art, and Victoria Moul on a “very American, slightly irritating, and rather successful” poem. Read now!

“Young read the Bible, Shakespeare, dictionaries (to which he was particularly devoted), and detective fiction (which became a lifelong passion) at home.” Read “Vicar’s vision,” by Micah Mattix. Micah Mattix newcriterion.com/article/vicars…

The one and only Gary Saul Morson returns to the Weekend Beacon with a review of "Crimean Quagmire," plus Tevi Troy on Michael Rosen's "Like Silicon From Clay" & Micah Mattix on "Edgar A. Poe: A Life"—you'll be raven about it! freebeacon.com/arts-culture-o…

"When Poe was sober, he was a model employee. He would sit at his desk and produce reams of criticism for whatever weekly he was working for at the time, as well as short stories and poems." And therein lies the rub. Micah Mattix reviews "Edgar A. Poe: A Life" #WeekendBeacon

Featuring: Micah Mattix in Washington Free Beacon on a biography of Poe, and Joseph Bottum on T. S. Eliot. Plus, Steve and Hannah on Emily Brontë, William Blake, and more. Read now!

The submission window for the twenty-fifth New Criterion Poetry Prize will be closing this Thursday, May 15. Follow the link below to read more about the contest guidelines and to submit your manuscript. newcriterion.com/dispatch/the-t…

The second annual First Things Poetry Prize is now open. The deadline for submissions is June 30. firstthings.com/poetryprize/

Somehow I missed this! First Things' poetry contest closes on 6/30. Judge is the great Dana Gioia! Link below.

NVR is open for poetry submissions to its summer issue for just a few more days. The window closes on Monday, June 23. We’d be honored if you shared your work with us!

The second annual First Things Poetry Prize is open for submissions until June 30. Submit at: firstthings.com/poetryprize/

Apropos my column posted at @firstthings today, I'm looking forward to reading this review of Alan Jacobs' new book by Micah Mattix in the Washington Examiner: edition.washingtonexaminer.com/html5/reader/p…

Some Friday Links, my friends, with New Verse Review First Things Micah Mattix & more dappledthings.squarespace.com/deep-down-thin…

Our August/September issue is live! Read at: firstthings.com/issue/august-s…

When books were actually banned washingtonexaminer.com/premium/346362… Micah Mattix via Washington Examiner

In addition to Rob Long Rob Long on the Desi Arnaz bio, the Weekend Beacon features Tunku Varadarajan on "Those Who Should Be Seized Should Be Seized" (on the plight of the Uyghurs) & Micah Mattix on "The Big Hop: The First Nonstop Flight Across the Atlantic and Into the Future"

Winners of the Second Annual First Things Poetry Prize T. O. Brandon (Tyndall Brandon) has won first place for his poem “Madonna and Child (after Giotto).” Brian Brodeur (Brian Brodeur) has won second place for “Not Versed in Country Things.” Both poems will be published in