The 2026 Clara Johnson Award Ceremony for Tamara Dean will be held October 15, 6:30 p.m. CT, 7:30 ET Click here to attend the ceremony on Zoom. Tamara Dean’s captivating collection of essays, Shelter and Storm: At Home in the Driftless, introduces the reader to a wondrously rugged and gorgeous topological phenomenon in the northern Midwest. Geologists … Continue reading 2026 CJA Co-Recipient Tamara Dean
The Clara Johnson Award Committee would like to share our unique and unprecedented decision in granting this year's award to two co-recipient women authors - Tamara Dean, Shelter and Storm, and Amy Mackin, Henry's Classroom. Both awarded authors' outstanding books explore issues which have seriously and significantly affected their own lives, are especially relevant, as well as … Continue reading 2026 Clara Johnson Co-Recipients
Jane's Stories Press Foundation announces that nominations are open for the Ninth Annual Clara Johnson Award for Women’s Literature. This award shall be bestowed to a book published in 2025 and bears the attributes of the award’s namesake. Its winner will be awarded a $500 cash prize. The Ninth Annual Clara Johnson Award Virtual Ceremony will be held … Continue reading Open for Nominations: The 2026 Clara Johnson Award
“A word after a word after a word is power.” Margaret Atwood Show your love and support for emerging women writers by donating to JSPF this February — and your gift will be doubled! (The first $400 donated will be matched by some generous supporters). Funds will be used for the the Clara Johnson Award … Continue reading Share the Love – Support Women Writers
Take a few minutes to enjoy the JSPF Annual Meeting with a reading by Julia M. Allen from her book Women Making History: the Revolutionary Feminist Postcard Art of Helaine Victoria Press. You can access the book's content three ways.Link to open access (FREE!) online edition of Women Making History: The Revolutionary Feminist Postcard Art … Continue reading Watch the 2025 JSPF Annual Meeting – Author Reading
The JSPF Annual Meeting will be held on the evening of December 29 at 6:30 p.m. CT on Zoom. A link follows the agenda.Annual Meeting and Author Readings December 29, 2025, 6:30 PM, CST Call to Order Welcome and Introduction of the Board by president. Former President and Current Treasurer, Susan Winstead is introduced. Secretary, … Continue reading 2025 JSPF Annual Meeting
Please take a moment to support women writers this Giving Tuesday by donating to JSPF. Donations of $35 or more will be sent a book from past Clara Johnson Award submission. Click on the Donations tab to make your donation. Thank you.
Please read this letter from our president Teri Lavelle.
The 2025 CJA Ceremony was held on September 29. Winner Ona's reading and discussion of her writing (and life!) was captivating.
Ona Gritz is the 2025 Clara Johnson Award winner for Everywhere I Look: A Memoir. Gritz's tragic and inspiring memoir revels in its authentic first-hand account of this author’s will to examine her beloved sister Angie’s violent death and traumatic childhood, as well as Angie’s risky and questionable choices. As the author wrestles with her … Continue reading 2025 Clara Johnson Award Winner: Ona Gritz
