Gabriel Antonio Reed to Judge ProForma 20

Arinze Akpa

June 3, 2026

Grist has opened its annual ProForma contest, which runs from June 1 through July 15. The 2026 ProForma Judge is Gabriel Antonio Reed, the author of Reach: A Poem, selected for the 2026 Academy Poets First Book Award by Brenda Hillman, and to appear on Gray Wolf next year. 

For ProForma, Grist accepts work that explores the relationship between content and form, especially genre hybrids and experimental pieces. Reed says he is “thrilled” to be this year’s judge and thinks about form in the following way: “I love spaces that offer writers freedom to craft their own forms with intention and clarity. At its best, the form of a piece is the artifact of the writer’s voice; it performs the work’s consciousness and—most importantly—its heart. Hybrid form offers the writer endless shapes to make their heart clear.” 

Entrants looking for more guidance can also turn to recent winners and runners-up, right here on Grist’s website. Elisávet Makridis won last issue’s contest for her gripping work Testimonial Grids, which uses hybridity to explore heritage and identity. Runners-up were Li Zhuang and the collaboration between artist Tash Kahn and writer Cathy Rose. In the previous issue, top honors went to Yamilette Vizcaino Rivera, for TITLE: Elimination Diet / A Buen Tiempo. Her work explored family while masquerading as a science report. Poems by Laura Villareal and Melanie Manuel were worthy runners-up. 

Grist accepts ProForma submissions via Submittable. Entry fee is $22.50, and the contest winner gets a $1000 cash prize, along with publication in the print magazine. Further details can be found here. Reed says, “I can’t wait to encounter this year’s entries, and I’m honored for the opportunity.” Grist’s editors agree!