Introducing the Young Poets Anthology
1455 Literary Arts Publishes Anthology Featuring Poets Ages 10–21, with Introduction by Richard Blanco
177 Young Poets. 36 States. 9 Countries.
1455 Literary Arts, the nonprofit dedicated to building community through storytelling, announces the June 23 publication of the 1455 Young Poets Anthology. The collection features 177 poets aged 10 to 21 from 36 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and nine countries across four continents. The anthology includes an introduction by Richard Blanco, the fifth presidential inaugural poet, and centers on the theme of hope.
At a moment when young people are often defined by what they consume, 1455 invited them to create—and to be heard. These poems, chosen from hundreds of global submissions, represent a diverse cross-section of creatives seldom invited to participate in literary or cultural conversation.
“In times of uncertainty, it’s the youngest voices that often see most clearly what can still be saved,” said Sean Murphy, Executive Director of 1455 Literary Arts. “We want to give them the platform they deserve.”
A Global Collection, Grounded in Hope
The anthology features poets from the United States, Nigeria, Uzbekistan, Ethiopia, Armenia, the Philippines, India, and Canada. The youngest contributor is a fourth-grade student; the oldest is 21. The work ranges from sociopolitical reflection to deeply personal meditation, all centered on the concept of hope as something honest, complex, hard-won, and defiant.
“The work we received reflects multi-faceted and provocative variations on the theme,” Murphy added. “Some poems wrestle with chaos, others are deeply personal, and all of them expand our understanding of what hope can mean in 2026.”
A Physical Book in Their Hands
The doors to traditional publishing are narrowing—fewer outlets, shrinking resources, and less space for new voices, especially young ones. The 1455 Young Poets Anthology offers something rare: a professionally published book featuring 177 emerging writers, most of whom have never been published before.
“Holding a physical book with your name in it changes something,” Murphy said. “It tells a young writer: I am in print. No one can take that away from me. For many of these poets, this will be the first time they see themselves as part of the literary world—and we believe it won’t be the last.”
Zero Barriers, Professional Platform
Submissions to the anthology were free, and contributors retain full ownership of their work. This project was sourced through outreach to thousands of libraries, schools, and campuses nationwide, and amplified through the 1455 community. The anthology will be available in paperback and e-book formats wherever books are sold and distributed to libraries. 1455 is also working with donors to place copies in as many communities as possible. This collection arrives amid growing national conversation about youth voice, access to the arts, and the future of creative expression.
The cover features original artwork by Kim Triedman, whose work has been widely exhibited throughout the United States. Retail price: $14.99. Learn more at 1455litarts.org/ypa