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Literary prize to be awarded Friday at Side Door
St. Petersburg poet Denzel Johnson-Green is the recipient of the 2023 Roy Peter Clark Literary Award, to be presented during the Sunlit After Dark event Friday, May 12 at 6 p.m., at the Palladium Theater Side Door Café.
A Poynter Institute writing coach, author and former journalist, Clark cites Johnson-Green – editor of the seasonal local poetry and art magazine Neptune – for his innumerable “contributions to the cultural life” of the city.
“I run into him everywhere I go. I see him at the museums, the performance venues, and at the coffee shops. Whenever I see him, he is writing poetry, sharing his poetry, encouraging other poets and writers, or inviting writers – like me – to contribute to Neptune.”
Clark and St. Petersburg Press, the event’s co-sponsor, will also honor author Peter Kageyama, Wilson’s Book World owner Michelle Jenquin, journalist Leonora LaPeter Anton and Lakewood High School librarian Heather Robinson.
Tampa Bay Times books editor Colette Bancroft was the first Roy Peter Clark Literary Award winner, in 2022.
The event will include appearances from several St. Petersburg Press writers (St. Petersburg Press and the St. Pete Catalyst are both owned by the St. Petersburg Group.)
It will feature live music, a literary “year in review,” appetizers and a cash bar.
Admission is free, and tax-deductible donations to co-sponsor Keep St. Pete Lit are encouraged. Limited VIP packages are available for $100, and include two drink tickets, two St. Petersburg Press books signed by the author, a St. Petersburg Press T-shirt and priority seating. Details are here.
