Poets and Writers Called:  2019 will mark the fifth year of the Florida Loquat Literary Festival. Here is the official call:

The Florida Loquat Festival is seeking one-page poetry or prose submissions for a reading at Frances Avenue Park in New Port Richey, Florida on March 23, 2019. We welcome all styles and forms as long as loquats are the subject or central image. Submissions are open to all writers and not restricted to professional poets.

We encourage and welcome submissions from anyone who wishes to participate. There will be prize packages awarded to first ($100), second ($50), and third place ($25). Awards will also include publication in Leaves of Loquat V, and other small complimentary favors.

All authors are invited to read at the event in beautiful Frances Avenue Park.  Those who attend and read will be published in the annual chapbook, Leaves of Loquat, which will be presented in the winter during a public event. Lastly, any time remaining after the reading will be open to the public for an open mic where all ages and levels of experience are welcomed and encouraged to participate.

Deadline for submissions is March 10, 2019.

Writers can submit up to three poems. If making more than one submission, send all in a single document. Include a brief bio sharing your writing experience/ publications, if any, to dechant@usf.edu.   Submissions may also be mailed to Friendship Farms & Fare, PO Box 596, New Port Richey, FL 34655-0596.  Deadline March 10, 2019. Accepted submissions notified upon acceptance.

Ecology Florida and Friendship Farms & Fare host the sixth annual Florida Loquat Festival on Saturday, March 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Frances Avenue Park (5580 Frances Ave., 34652) in New Port Richey. Come and enjoy this one-of-a-kind celebration of Florida’s wonderful spring fruit.