Literary Arts Grants: For Publishers

South Arts, Inc. offers Literary Arts Grants to support Southern independent publishers and small presses with funding up to $5,000. These grants aim to amplify contemporary literary arts and foster community engagement through projects like reading series and festivals. Eligible applicants must be based in the South Arts Region and demonstrate a commitment to advancing literary traditions. This initiative enhances access to the arts and promotes cultural vitality across the Southern states.

Note: Please see the South Arts Literary Arts Grants for Writers here.
South Arts Inc
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, South Arts is a nonprofit regional arts organization empowering artists, organizations, and communities, and increasing access to arts and culture.
In partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the State Arts Agencies of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee — with additional funding from other public and private donors such as the Doris Duke Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and Mellon Foundation — South Arts supports artists and organizations through a rich and responsive portfolio of grants, fellowships, and programs. Why? Because South Arts believes that the arts elevate the region, increasing connectedness and inspiring meaningful change in the process.
As part of its Literary Arts Initiative, South Arts is excited to announce Literary Arts Grants. These project grants will be made to writers, independent literary publishers, small presses, and literary arts missioned organizations that focus on contemporary literary arts. These grants deepen our commitment to amplifying literary traditions and practices of the American South through directly funding the initiation, development, and completion of literary arts projects in poetry, fiction, creative or literary nonfiction, young readers’ literature, and drama (playwriting and screenwriting).
South Arts will award literary arts grants up to $5,000 to support Southern independent publishers and small presses. Applicants (organizations) must include the publisher’s representative work samples and other required attachments.
Types of Projects Supported
Literary Grants support projects across several categories: Creative Literary Work Creation and Publishing and Community Engagement.
CREATIVE LITERARY WORK CREATION AND PUBLISHING
(Writers and Literary Arts Organizations-Small Literary Presses/Publishers-grants up to $5,000)
For writers and independent publishers and presses who seek support for projects that engage contemporary writers who live and create in the South Arts region in the development and publishing of creative works across literary genres including poetry, fiction, drama, playwriting, and creative nonfiction. Content may be published in print, digitally, and/or in audio formats, and should be in English.
Projects that are eligible for support include,
CREATION PROJECTS (writers only- new works and in-progress writing projects)
LITERARY PUBLISHING PROJECTS (organizations only)
Proposals may incorporate one or more of the following:

• Use of technology to enhance delivery to audiences and strengthen community connectedness.

Innovation and advancement opportunities in the creative literary arts, including cross-sector collaborations and non-traditional approaches to the development of literary content.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
(Writers and Literary Arts Organizations-grants up to $5,000)
For writers and literary arts organizations who seek support for projects that engage the public with contemporary writers and creative literary works. Projects may have a local or regional focus where eligible projects include but are not limited to:

• Reading Series
• Festivals
• Podcasts

Eligibility

For Literary Arts Organizations
For Publishers: Independent nonprofit publishers and small presses including journals.Based in the South Arts Region (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, The Carolinas, Tennessee) both at the time of application and during the project period.Other non-profit organizations with a literary arts mission.

Ineligibility

Ineligible EntitiesUnits of government
Colleges/Universities are ineligible to apply for this grant.
Literary Arts Grants awardees from the prior funding cycle.
Applicants applying for the same project through other South Arts grant programs.
Unallowable ActivitiesGeneral operating support. Support for a full season of programming. Courses or coursework in degree-granting or continuing education institutions. Literary publishing that does not focus on contemporary literature and/or writers. Publication of books, exhibition of works, or other projects by the applicant organization's board members, faculty, or trustees. Projects for which no curatorial, juried, or editorial judgment has been applied to the selection of artists or art works. Social activities such as receptions, parties, galas, community dinners, picnics, and potlucks. Costs of entertainment, including amusement, diversion, and social activities and any associated costs are unallowable; generally, this includes activities at venues such as bars, wineries, and breweries where the consumption of alcohol/social activity is the primary purpose of the venue. Awards to individuals or organizations to honor or recognize achievement. Commercial (for-profit) enterprises or activities, including arts markets, concessions, food, t-shirts, artwork, or other items for resale. This includes online or virtual sales/shops. Construction, purchase, or renovation of facilities.Sub-granting or regranting.Use of funds to serve as a match for other South Arts grants programs.