2026 Chapbook Manuscript Workshop – A Virtual Panel Discussion & Workshop
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This event is open for registration from January 26 – March 12, 2026.
Working on your debut chapbook? Maybe you’re looking for writing exercises to help with developmental edits, or advice on where to query your completed manuscript. If so, we invite you to our Chapbook Manuscript Workshop, moderated by Joshua Roark, Palette's founding editor, and joined by two previous chapbook prize winners, Ava Chen and Jessie Keary, along with poetry editor Xander Gershberg.
In our two-hour virtual discussion and workshop on Friday, March 13, 2026 at 7 PM EDT / 4 PM PDT, our panelists of writers and editors will share their experiences and insight to help you on your chapbook journey. You will have the opportunity to hear their advice on writing/editing/publishing chapbooks, learn tips and tricks to troubleshoot any issues with your current manuscript, and ask any questions during the Q&A.
Registration costs $20. You can register below through Submittable. The event Zoom link will be sent in the confirmation email from Submittable. A recording of the event will be distributed to all registrants, so we encourage you to sign up even if you're unable to attend the night of the event.
We hope to see you then!
meet our panel:
Joshua Roark works as the main faculty for Antioch University Los Angeles’ Post-MFA Certificate in the Teaching of Creative Writing, as well as an infrequent Poetry Mentor for their MFA program. He completed his own MFA in Poetry with Antioch’s low-residency program in 2017. After founding Frontier Poetry in that same year, Joshua went on to become the Editorial Director of Discover New Art and helped launch several more literary magazines and platforms, including Palette Poetry, publishing many books by incredible artists, serving writers of every genre and style. Joshua Roark’s book of sonnets about teaching middle school as a Teach for America teacher, Put One Hand Up, Lean Back, was published by Unsolicited Press. In addition to his poetry, Joshua is a screenwriter and film producer in Los Angeles and most recently produced Dead Deer High, a feature film based on his original screenplay, set to premiere in 2026. He currently lives in Joshua Tree, California, and directs the community of writers called PocketMFA.
Ava Chen is a writer from Massachusetts. Her debut chapbook Habitual Prayer was chosen by Danez Smith as the winner of the 2023 Palette Poetry Chapbook Prize. Her writing has been recognized by The Adroit Prizes, YoungArts, Bennington College, and more, and has appeared in Sixth Finch, The Rumpus, Gigantic Sequins, and elsewhere. She hopes you have a spectacular day.
Jessie Keary (they/he) is a trans, neurodivergent writer and artist from the Midwest, US / Wahzhazhe land. Their chapbook, Explaining a Dress: Transfeminine Erasure & Vindication, was chosen for publication by Nancy Miller Gomez in Frontier Poetry’s 2024 Debut Chapbook Contest. Jessie's poetry can also be found in Transmasculine Poetics (Sundress Publications), Sweeter Voices Still (Belt Publishing), and various corners of the internet.
Xander Gershberg (he/him) is a poet, editor, and educator. His poetry is found in FENCE, The Journal, Plume, TAB Journal, Inverted Syntax, Great River Review, Poetry Online, and elsewhere. He is an editor on Spout Press's editorial collective and previously served as the senior poetry editor for MAYDAY. He received his MFA in poetry from Virginia Tech.
our itinerary:
- Panel Discussion (45 minutes)
- Workshopping Practice & Exercises (30 minutes)
- Q&A (30 minutes)