Charles Stephens

Grants | Literary Arts Fund The Literary Arts Fund offers two grant opportunities for U.S.-based literary arts nonprofits: general operating and innovation project grants.

Amazing opportunity via @literaryartsfund.bsky.social

"The Literary Arts Fund’s 2026 general operating grant application window is now open..."

literaryartsfund.org/grants

The reading and discussion last night at the “Reckoning Reading” was so electric. I’m completely shook. So grateful and proud of the literary community we built this year. Narrative change work requires storytellers who are willing to speak truth to power. We must support these efforts.

Thank you for celebrating with us

Check out the latest issue of @storyquarterly.bsky.social where I have a story published, “Honor thy Father.” This is my first publication in a literary journal. Check it out, link in my bio.

When My Father Saw Me as a Writer... and it was thanks to the AJC...

My first ever publication was an Op-Ed in the print edition of the AJC. This was in August 1997...
charlesstephens.substack.com/p/when-my-fa...

The Reckoning Reading Series, a new literary salon in Atlanta, is committed to building bridges and celebrating culture through the lens of fearless storytelling. Join us on September 13th for our next program. RSVP here: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-reckon...

The Reckoning Reading Series, a new literary salon in Atlanta, is committed to building bridges and celebrating culture through the lens of fearless storytelling. Join us on September 13th for our next program. RSVP here: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-reckon...

Really grateful for this incredible writing community.

Special thanks to @kimbiliofiction.com for this incredible opportunity and supporting my writing. Looking forward to this journey.

beauties AND beautiful readings? blessed! #thsw

The Rumpus Submission Manager The Rumpus publishes original fiction, poetry, literary humor writing, comics, essays, book reviews, and interviews with authors and artists of all kinds. Founded in 2009 and independent from the star...

FYI, @therumpus.net is open for submissions in a whole bunch of categories. Essays, fiction, poetry, comics, criticism, interviews! therumpus.submittable.com/submit

Barrelhouse - Book Pitches: For What It's Worth (CNF) We're accepting pitches for a new book series, For What It's Worth: short (25-30K words) works of creative nonfiction that have some pop-cultural "thing" at their center and combine elements of memoir...

Hey, I'm accepting book pitches for @barrelhouse.bsky.social for our new nonfiction series, For What It's Worth. Book-length essays (25-30K words) on a pop cultural obsession, ideally with a personal angle that makes the book something only you could write.

How my father taught me about racism without ever saying so Looking back, I realize my father was teaching me about racism without saying so. His insistence on me “having a skill” was his way of wanting me to be able to survive in a world where being black mea...

"For a black father and son in modern-day America to talk honestly about racism demands, more than anything else, vulnerability." I published this essay several years ago in Atlanta Magazine. Let me know what you think.
www.atlantamagazine.com/list/race-at...

Thrilled to be a 2025 Kimbilio Fellow. Grateful to join this incredible community @kimbiliofiction.com

Just arrived and can’t wait to read: “The World Doesn’t Require You,” by Rion Amilcar Scott

Thank you @storyquarterly.bsky.social for publishing my short story “Honor Thy Father.” I’m incredibly grateful for your support and belief in my work. Link in bio.

Saturday I had the opportunity to participate in the “Deep South Convening on the Future Success of American Writers.” Special thanks to the organizing team for this historic gathering and inviting me to speak on the “Literature in Action” panel.

Grateful for all our contributors! @stephaniemacias.bsky.social @charlesdotsteph.bsky.social @egtedrowe.bsky.social @juliewbach.bsky.social @augustineblaze.bsky.social @montseandree.bsky.social and everyone else whose @ I could not find!

Thank you @storyquarterly.bsky.social for publishing my short story “Honor Thy Father.” I’m incredibly grateful for your support and belief in my work. Link in bio.

Saturday my friend and literary/movement brother Craig Washington invited me to be one of the speakers at the unveiling of his papers at @aarl_atl I was honored to speak about our friendship and years long collaboration. Also a reminder for us to donate our papers to archives.

Look what just came in the mail. “Shade: An Anthology of Fiction by Gay Men of African Descent.” 1996. Co-Edited by Bruce Morrow and Charles H. Rowell

Got to hang out at the Red Clay Writers Conference hosted by the Georgia Writers Association today at Kennesaw State University.

Ten years ago I founded my nonprofit organization
@cnptribe.org as a love letter to the extraordinary legacy of poet Essex Hemphill. To this day, I owe so much to him, including my commitment to narrative change. Happy Birthday #essexhemphill

Image by Adrianne Mathiowetz Photography

We had such a powerful conversation last week, following Topdog/Underdog at Actor's Express. Special thanks to the performers and creative team #AEtopdog

Panel on poet Reginald Shepherd at AWP 2025. Grateful to be among such incredible writers.

I saw Bruce LaBruce's film The Visitor and yeah, I think we need to discuss it.

Congrats to Actor's Express on a brilliant production of TOPDOG/UNDERDOG. This is one of the best plays I’ve seen. I’m also moderating a talkback Sunday March 30th. Get tix at Actor's Express #AETopdog

I’ve been reading Edmund White since I was eighteen. Started reading his new memoir. He’s been an incredible part of my reading life.