The Pushcart Prize honors the incredible work of authors published by small presses and has since 1976. And since then, thousands of writers have been featured in its annual collections—most of whom are new to the series. The Pushcart Prize is a wonderful opportunity for writers of short stories, poetry, and essays to jump further into the literary world and see their work gain recognition and appreciation.
The Prize represents an incredible opportunity for Yellow Arrow to further showcase and support our authors. Our staff is committed to letting our authors shine. Every writer has a story to tell and every story is worth telling. We are so proud of everyone we publish at Yellow Arrow. Without further ado, let’s meet the 2024 Yellow Arrow Pushcart Prize Nominees!
SHANTELL HINTON HILL
“i’m every woman”
from Black girl magic & other elixirs
~ it was third grade
when i finally discovered
the lyrics of my favorite song
were an incantation
to ward off evil
pale-faced women. ~
shantell hinton hill is the ultimate Renaissance woman. An engineer turned pastor, shantell situates her work at the intersections of social justice, public theology, and Black feminism/womanism. A native of Conway, Arkansas, shantell is married to Rev. Jeremy Hill. They recently welcomed their first child, Sophie June, to their growing family. shantell obtained a master of divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School. She also earned a bachelor of science in electrical engineering from Vanderbilt University and a master of science in electrical engineering from Colorado State University.
She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the National Society of Black Engineers. She is also an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Her vocational experiences include work as a process control engineer, a Bible teacher, and as Assistant University Chaplain at Vanderbilt. At Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, shantell focuses on community engagement, faith-based coalition building, and narrative change to imagine more just communities in Arkansas. In her spare time, shantell is also a freelance writer/author and curates digital content that centers on wholeness and thriving.
shantell’s chapbook Black girl magic & other elixirs was released in July 2023 and can be found in the Yellow Arrow bookstore.
SARAH JOSEPHINE PENNINGTON
“Myths and Lore”
from Yellow Arrow Journal Vol. VIII, No. 2 EMBLAZON
~ We told tall tales and fish tales and jack tales and dog tails, too, family lore we called little dead dog stories, stuffed full of wonder and padded with big lies that came natural in the dark country night. ~
Sarah Josephine Pennington (she/her) is a queer, disabled writer and artist currently living in Louisville, Kentucky, though her roots are in Appalachia. She studied creative writing while attending Bellarmine University and the University of Louisville, as well as through the Appalachian Writer’s Workshop and the Carnegie Center in Lexington. Recently her writing has been included in Still: The Journal, and she has been awarded a 2023 writing residency through the Kentucky Foundation for Women. Her art, which includes ceramics, printmaking, and fiber arts, can be frequently found in venues throughout Louisville.
Sarah contributed her piece, “Myths and Lore,” to Yellow Arrow Journal’s Vol. VIII, No. 2 issue, EMBLAZON and can be found in the Yellow Arrow bookstore.
CASSIE PREMO STEELE
“Volcano Woman”
from Swimming in Gilead
~ Proud, out, loud,
Fire, feisty, you
Woman of waves. ~
Cassie Premo Steele is an accomplished American writer celebrated for her profound contributions to literature and ecofeminism. Her extensive body of work encompasses evocative poetry, insightful essays, and explorations of ecofeminist philosophy. Cassie’s writing resonates with readers by intertwining themes of women's experiences, spirituality, and nature, forming a tapestry of thought-provoking narratives. As an advocate for environmental consciousness and gender equality, her words bridge the gap between the personal and the ecological. Her acclaimed works, such as We Heal from Memory and Earth Joy Writing, reveal her deep-rooted connection to the natural world and her commitment to inspiring change. Her latest books are the novel, Beaver Girl, and the poetry collection, Swimming in Gilead, from Yellow Arrow Publishing. Find her at cassiepremosteele.com.
Cassie’s chapbook Swimming in Gilead was released in October 2023 and can be found in the Yellow Arrow bookstore.
JANNA WAGNER
“Sun City: Témoignage”
from Yellow Arrow Journal Vol. VIII, No. 1, KINDLING
~ It is a place known to Haitians as the worst place to live in the country, a place described by locals and outsiders alike as a human tragedy, a place where poverty is feral ~
Janna Wagner has been a nurse with Doctors Without Borders since 2014 and writes from her home base at the end of the road in Homer, Alaska. Janna's essays exploring humanitarian work, grief, and body image have been published or are forthcoming in The Forge Literary Magazine, Spectrum Literary Journal, Yellow Arrow Journal, Exposition Review, and others. She recently won joint first place in The Letter Review Prize for Poetry and The Letter Review Prize for Short Stories. She can be reached at janna.e.wagner@gmail.com.
Janna contributed her creative nonfiction piece, “Sun City: Témoignage” to Yellow Arrow Journal Vol. VIII, No. 1 issue, KINDLING and can be found in the Yellow Arrow bookstore.
ANN WEIL
“Lifecycle of a Beautiful Woman”
from Lifecycle of a Beautiful Woman
~ Sixty-one.
I used to be what I no longer am. The switch—no, the electricity—
that lit the room. Powered the whole damn city. ~
Ann Weil is a former special education teacher and professor of education who now writes with the squirrels of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the manatees of Key West, Florida. Her most recent work appears in Maudlin House, Pedestal Magazine, DMQ Review, 3Elements Review, and The Shore. Her chapbook, Lifecycle of a Beautiful Woman, debuted in April 2023 from Yellow Arrow Publishing. Read more of Ann’s poetry at annweilpoetry.com.
Ann’s chapbook Lifecycle of a Beautiful Woman can be found in the Yellow Arrow bookstore. Ann also contributed her piece “The Unraveling” to Yellow Arrow Vignette AWAKEN, which can be found on the Yellow Arrow website.
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