The National Student Poets Program is the nation’s highest honor for young poets (grades 10–11) creating original work. Annually, five students are selected for one year of service, each representing a different geographic region of the country. This episode includes all of the information you need to know about the Program—how to make your portfolio stand out, why this program changes lives, and the nitty-gritty details behind what it takes to be a published poet.

(1:48): Darius Atefat-Peckham is a 2018 National Student Poetry Program alum and the author of Book of Kin, which won the 2023 Autumn House Poetry Prize. His work has appeared in Poetry, Poem-a-Day, The Georgia Review, Indiana Review, The Journal, Rattle, and elsewhere. Connect with Darius on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/d.ap_/?hl=en.

(32:48): Hannah Jones is the Manager of the National Student Poets Program.

More information about the NSPP: https://www.artandwriting.org/programs/national-student-poets-program/

If you want to dedicate your life to art, chances are you have asked yourself the following questions: Do I need an art degree to be an artist? How will I incorporate my love of art into a career someday? This episode is for you, visual storytellers. Episode two of The Scholastic Awards Podcast is all about how you can thrive in the art world after you’ve won your Scholastic Award. Join us as we collect wisdom from three notable alumni who have navigated their own paths in the art world in various ways.

(1:46): James Wells is a 2001 Awards alumnus and creative leader. He currently works as an Innovative Teaching and Learning Manager at Crayola. Because of his Awards, he was offered a full art scholarship to his local college. Knowing how impactful early recognition can be, James has committed his entire career to inspiring young artists, creatives, and educators.

(24:53): Matthew Ronay is a New York-based artist who creates organic sculptures, which are carved by hand from sections of basswood. Connect with Matthew on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysteriousfog/?hl=en.

(58:53): Sasha Baskin is a practicing weaver and lacemaker. She received her BFA in drawing from the Maryland Institute College of Art and her MFA in Craft and Material Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University. Baskin currently teaches at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. Sasha is also a Scholastic Awards alumna, receiving a Gold Key Portfolio Award in 2010. Visit Sasha’s website for more: https://www.sashabaskin.com/

This episode is for you, aspiring English majors! If you are a teen writer considering a future in the book world, you have come to the right place. How on earth does the publishing process work? Is an English degree useful? Do I need a literary agent to submit to publishing houses?

That’s where episode one of The Scholastic Awards Podcast comes in—your destination for your burning publishing questions finally answered. Listen as the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers interviews publishing professionals from all angles of the industry.

(2:01): Marc Brown is an American author and illustrator of children’s books, best known for creating the Arthur books and television series. Follow Marc on Instagram: @marcbrown333 or visit his website: https://marcbrownstudios.com/.

(26:45): Alexandra Franklin is an associate agent at Curtis Brown Literary. Alexandra is particularly interested in upmarket and literary fiction, narrative nonfiction and memoir, and select literary YA. See Alexandra’s query guidelines here: https://curtisbrown.com/agents/alexandra-franklin/.

(56:19): Emi Nietfeld is a writer and software engineer. Her essays have appeared in The New York Times, The Rumpus, Vice, and more. Follow Emi on Instagram @eminietfeld or visit her website: https://www.eminietfeld.com/.