The application period for the 2025 awards is: May 1 to June 30, 2025.
Awards are announced on September 17, 2025.
Every two years, Antenna Press awards 5 recipients the opportunity to publish their book through Antenna Press. Aligning with Antenna’s mission, we are specifically interested in publishing ideas that, and are at the intersection of gender and identity, the environment, equity, renewable resources, abolition, restorative justice, and the histories of the Gulf South. Projects can be unique and creative interpretations of all types of publications including but not limited to artist books, chapbooks, photo books, comics, graphic novels, guidebooks, and how-to guides.
Antenna Press accepts proposals for thoroughly developed book projects through the Antenna Press Publishing Award.
Emerging and established artists and writers from all disciplinary backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We welcome submissions from Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, immigrants, and LGBTQ-GNC+ artists, including those with disabilities. We are committed to publishing the voices of artists known and unknown, particularly those who interpret ideas through the lens of New Orleans or have connections to the City or the Gulf South region.
We award five book project proposals every two years. Four awards are given to individuals or groups based in the state of Louisiana or the Gulf South region (Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, and Texas). One award per year is given to a national applicant. We do not accept applications from international applicants at the moment.
Please email pmprograms@antenna.works with any questions.
Awardees receive:
- $1500 stipend (to be split among any authors/artists/collaborators).
- Up to 20 hours of design and layout assistance from Paper Machine staff.
- 25 copies of the first edition of 100 copies. The remaining 75 copies will be sold through Antenna Press. The author can purchase additional copies at 40% off the retail price. Additional editions will be produced once the first edition sells out, and the author/artist will receive 8% royalties per copy sold.
Project Proposals
Project proposals consist of well-developed content that is close to completion. Proposals are accepted during the application period through Submittable.
We encourage you to include in your application:
- A clear description of the proposed project, including historical narrative about the project’s development and any desired production processes and materials.
- Examples of final page designs, or manuscript of any text and/or image that may be included in the proposed project.
- Samples of relevant or related past work.
- A bio or artist statement
- A brief description of your interest in publishing in the Gulf South.
- Availability to fulfill the publication in the next year and a half.
- People who have received awards of any kind from Antenna in the last 2 years are not eligible
- Single issues of periodicals are not eligible (example, issue 4 of a magazine).
Available Production Processes
9 x 12 inches is the maximum publication size, with a limit of 250 page count. Our printer is a Ricoh ProC7210 digital laser printer with capability to print color, black and white as well as foil and white toner.
We offer perfect glue binding, staple/saddle stitch binding, and spiral binding.
Artist/authors are required to scan or otherwise digitally render and finalize images and illustrations and are responsible for the editing and finalization of any text in the book.
Info sessions:
Info Session 1
Tuesday May 20 at 5:00 pm
Location: Paper Machine, 6330 Saint Claude Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70117
Info Session 2
Tuesday June 10 at 6:00 pm
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81620666456
If you missed the info sessions but still have questions or concerns, please email pmprograms@antenna.works to set up a conversation!
Jury
Awards are decided by a jury of individuals with diverse backgrounds in culture, writing, publishing and visual art. Jurors score submissions according to this rubric.
