Clark award, St. Petersburg Press literary event set for May 13

For the fourth consecutive year, Poynter Institute writing coach Roy Peter Clark has selected a small group of writers, journalists, educators and booksellers to honor with the award that bears his name.

It is, he said, “given to a person who has made significant contributions to the writing and reading life of the city.”

The 2025 Roy Peter Clark Award ceremony will take place Tuesday, May 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Palladium Theater Side Door Cabaret. It’s the centerpiece of the annual “State of the Word” event, a presentation of the local publisher St. Petersburg Press.

“It’s my mission to learn something new about reading or writing every day,” said Clark, who joined the staff of the then-St. Petersburg Times in 1977. “I can’t do that by myself. I need to be part of a community that cares about the written word. I need to help writers understand how much they are appreciated.

“Right here. Right now. In our own town. A city of writers.”

To be celebrated at the May 13 event: Canadian novelist Gord Hume, a longtime local resident; “Your Real Stories” co-founder Lillian Dunlap; St. Pete Catalyst news reporter Mark Parker; streetcorner poet Giovanni Cerro; Book + Bottle events coordinator Andi Pignato; Tampa Bay Times news reporter Colleen Wright; and Britt Moseley, director of secondary Language Arts education in Pinellas County schools.

Longtime Tampa Bay Times book editor Colette Bancroft was the award’s first recipient, in 2022; the 2023 honor went to poet Denzel Johnson-Green. Kelsey Jagneaux, Tombolo Books events planner, was given the award in 2024.

Since its founding in 2019, St. Petersburg Press has published more than 45 books by Tampa Bay area authors, including novels, short stories, poetry, children’s books, non-fiction and art books.

The publisher’s most popular works include Cigar City and Florida Hustle by Paul Wilborn, Kerry Kriseman’s Accidental First Lady, The Last Florida Boy by Tom Gribbin, Shana Smith’s Island of Cedars and Peter Kageyama’s Kats Takemoto mystery novel series.

St. Petersburg Press director Amy Cianci will be among the speakers at the Side Door event, and many of the Press’ authors will be in attendance.

“State of the Word” will include music, light food and a cash bar. Tickets are free, with a suggested donation to support literacy efforts in Tampa Bay. Reservations – at this link – are recommended.

Limited VIP packages are available for $100 (per ticket) and include two drink tickets, two St. Petersburg Press books signed by the author, a St. Petersburg Press T-shirt and priority seating.

St. Petersburg Press and the St. Pete Catalyst are owned by the St. Petersburg Group.