- Casey Carney
- Posted On
Search for 2018-2020 Lake County Poet Laureate begins
Applications will be evaluated by the former and current Lake County Poets Laureate.
The application deadline is March 4, at 5 p.m.
Sponsored by Middletown Art Center and the Lake County Arts Council, the selection event will be held at Middletown Art Center, 21456 State Highway 175, on April 29, at 4 p.m., and is free to the public.
Interviews of finalists will be scheduled to take place that day. The selection event will feature readings by the finalists, and several of the Lake County Poets Laureate.
The new Lake County Poet Laureate, 2018-2020 will be announced at the conclusion of the readings.
The role of a poet laureate is to promote poetry, writing and literacy in the community they represent. The position requires strong organizational, communication and clerical skills.
Officiated by the Lake County Board of Supervisors, the tradition began in Lake County in 1998 with the installation of the first Lake County Poet Laureate, Jim Lyle.
Each successive poet laureate has found their own way to fulfill the role, with many of them currently active in Lake County’s vibrant literary community.
In Lake County, the poet laureate is a volunteer position. However, some laureates have applied for and received grants to support their community activities.
Any Lake County resident can apply for the position, or nominate a resident that they consider a viable candidate.
To apply: Collect up to eight of your original poems (10 pages maximum). Submit seven sets which contain each poem; one set with your name on each poem, and the other six sets without your name attached to the poems.
Provide a letter of recommendation written by a community member on your behalf. Write a mission statement describing how you would serve Lake County’s literary community, including any current or previous activities or involvement. Include your name, address, email, telephone number and best time to call.
If any of your poems have been published, list the titles, names of the publication and dates they were published. Be available on April 29 for the interview process and public reading at the selection event.
Send copies of the above listed materials to: Julie Adams, P.O. Box 11, Middletown, CA 95461, and email a copy of the poems with your name attached, and your mission statement to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
If you do not have Internet access, mail eight copies of the listed items, including only one set of poetry with your name attached.
Local residents may nominate someone for the position by sending an email or letter to current Lake County Poet Laureate Julie Adams at the above addresses. Include the person’s contact information, phone number and a short statement about why you are nominating them.
Casey Carney is a Lake County Poet Laureate emerita.