The Poetry Project is very pleased to share that this year's mentors have selected the following poets as the 2026–2027 cohort of Emerge—Surface—Be fellows.

• Christian Derek Aguilar will work with m.s. RedCherries
• Anna Aksenova will work with Kim Rosenfield
• Allison Arteaga Argumedo will work with Christopher Rey Pérez
• David Lindsay will work with CAConrad
• Valeria Pedraza will work with JJJJJerome Ellis

In addition to this year's fellows, the mentors identified ten finalists whose names we are grateful to share: Brian Alarcon, Nicolás Barrera Martínez, Gary Duff, J Eunsun, C. Francis Fisher, Poison Oak, Zoe Storz, and Joanna Yamakami

The selected fellows will work one-on-one with their mentors to develop their craft; explore publication and performance opportunities; and reflect on the professional and community-based dimensions of a writing life. The Poetry Project will also be thrilled to feature the selected fellows in paired readings in the upcoming spring season.