Poetry that belongs to everyone.

Since 2005, SDEAG has published the poetry of San Diego — in English, in Spanish, from kids, from Native poets, from veterans, and from inside juvenile hall.

Free to read. Free to submit. Free to attend.

20 Years

+

3 Volumes Every Year

+

300+ Poets

+

10 Years of Kowit

+

Free, Always

20 Years + 3 Volumes Every Year + 300+ Poets + 10 Years of Kowit + Free, Always

PUBLISH

The San Diego Poetry Annual.

Every year, SDEAG publishes three volumes of poetry from across San Diego and beyond: the San Diego Poetry Annual, the bilingual edition, and KIDS! San Diego Poetry Annual.

The work lives in print, online, and in the hands of readers across the region.

HONOR

The Steve Kowit Poetry Prize.

  • 10 years

  • Open to any poet, anywhere

  • $1,000 first prize

  • $15 submission fee

  • Submissions open June 15 through October 15

  • Awards reception held every April at the San Diego Central Library

The Steve Kowit Poetry Prize honors original poetry from any poet, anywhere.

Named for the late San Diego poet and teacher, the prize keeps his legacy alive by recognizing bold, memorable work and supporting the poetry community he helped shape.

REACH

Where the poems go.

SDEAG does not keep poetry behind a podium, a paywall, or a private room.

The work moves through public schools, libraries, workshops, reservations, detention facilities, and community spaces across San Diego County.

Free workshops in San Diego public schools

Native Poet workshops at All Tribes Charter School on the Rincon Reservation

Workshops with incarcerated veterans

Poets in Juvenile Hall

Three-volume sets donated to libraries and universities throughout the region

Public readings at libraries countywide, year-round

All free
to the public.
Always.

This stays free because people give.

SDEAG is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Every donation is tax-deductible and goes directly toward the work: printing books, running workshops, supporting the prize, and keeping poetry open to the public.

If you believe poetry should reach more people, help us keep it free.