Attention Vermont poets: Montpelier and Randolph want you to be part of their National Poetry Month celebrations throughout April. But the submission deadlines are approaching to have your work considered for the PoemCity and PoemTown projects.
The deadline for Montpelier's PoemCity submissions is the end of January. Submission details are specific, but that shouldn't scare novice poets away, according to Rachel Senechal, program and development coordinator at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.
“PoemCity’s philosophy is that everyone is a poet," she said. "We work to offer opportunities for our community’s poets to publish, disseminate, learn and love poetry.”
"PoemCity's philosophy is that everyone is a poet." - Rachel Senechal, Kellogg-Hubbard Library
Entries for PoemTown, in Randolph, will be accepted through February. This is just the second year of PoemTown and organizers are excited to bring the event back in April.
"PoemTown Randolph 2015 presents public opportunity for Vermont poets to share their work," a press release states. "In response to last year's successful inaugural event, organizers are again offering a Greater Randolph celebration of poetry. Posters of 100 selected poems will be displayed in the main windows and doors of businesses, churches, and organizations in Randolph throughout the month of April. Once again local businesses have enthusiastically embraced the idea of poetry displays in their venues."
PoemTown submission guidelines are as follows:
Organizers are currently soliciting poetry submissions from poets of all ages residing anywhere in Vermont. Up to three poems, each of 24 lines or less, typed or handwritten, should be submitted by mail no later than February 28 to Janet Watton, 1387 Davis Road, Randolph Center, 05061. For purposes of blind judging, the poet's name, city/town of residence, email address, and phone number must be entered on the reverse side of the submitted poem page.
All poems should be original work that has never been published or displayed in previous Poetry Alive!, PoemCity, or PoemTown events.
PoemTown organizers are also planning poetry events and readings throughout April, culminating in a celebration at Chandler Music Hall. Specific details have yet to be announced.
Update 10:45 a.m. Jan. 26, 2015 The town of St. Johnsbury is also hosting a PoemTown event this April. St. Johnsbury is calling the event a satellite of Montpelier's PoemCity. According to the call for submissions, the event theme is "At Home in the Kingdom." The submission deadline is Feb. 15.
