Media Guide

New Hampshire to Host First-Time Gathering of U.S. Poets Laureate: Presidential primary season draws more than just candidates to the state

More Than Two Dozen New Hampshire Locales to Host Readings by U.S. Poets Laureate

Local Organizations to Provide Scholarships for Students to Attend Poetry and Politics Conference

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why Poetry and Politics?
A: Poets have always played a role in civic societies, as the voices of both tradition and dissent, the source of new ideas, or the expression of thought not otherwise expressible. Poetry and Politics provides a forum to discuss the role of the poet and poetry in contemporary life.

Q: What is a poet laureate?
A: The position of poet laureate is an honor given to an individual writer in recognition of a high level of achievement in the art of poetry. The British poet laureate dates back to the 1600s and is a royal office that is awarded for life. In the United States, the national Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry (originally Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress) has been awarded since the 1930s and carries a one-year term. The post of poet laureate can also be awarded by individual states, usually by the governor, with varying terms of office. Typically, the mission of the poet laureate is to develop a greater appreciation for the writing and reading of poetry—a duty poets laureate have pursued in different ways, including workshops, special reading series, school programs, conferences, and appearances on public television.

Q: How many states have a poet laureate?
A: Thirty-three states and the District of Columbia have a poet laureate, while two states have "Writer Laureate" positions.

Q: What states will be represented?
A: So far, Poets Laureate from Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming have confirmed. More will be added to our list as they confirm.

Q: Who appoints poets laureate?
A: While the nomination process varies from state to state, poets laureate are appointed by governors.

Q: Who can attend the Friday poetry readings?
A: Everyone and anyone! The visiting poets laureate will be reading at a total of nearly three dozen New Hampshire sites throughout the day on Friday, April 25. All readings are free and open to the public.

Q: Who can attend the Saturday conference?
A: Again, the conference on Saturday, April 26 is open to anyone who is interested, but may have special interest for writers, teachers, politicians, students, and members of the media. Your registration fee includes a continental breakfast, box lunch, conference materials, and your choice of a morning and afternoon panel. The registration fee of $50 includes continental breakfast, box lunch, and all materials.

Q: Who can attend the Saturday night dinner?
A: We are delighted that the keynote speaker at the Saturday dinner will be Dana Gioia, poet, essayist and newly confirmed chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. His address will be of particular interest to representatives of New Hampshire arts organizations, business people, writers, artists, teachers, students and patrons of the arts.

Q: How much are tickets?
A: Conference tickets will be available for $50 and gala dinner tickets will cost an additional $50.

Q: I'm a poet. How can I participate?
A: If you are a local New Hampshire poet, please contact the NH Writers' Project at 226-6649 or nhwp@rcn.com to see how you can get involved. We need many volunteers for the day of statewide readings. And, of course, we invite you to register for the conference and purchase a ticket to the dinner!

Q: I'm a politician. How can I participate?
A: We would be pleased to have you register and attend the Saturday conference and the Saturday evening dinner. The participation of members of the political community will be very important in fostering a lively dialogue about the role of poetry in shaping political and cultural change.

Q: I'm a member of the media. What can I cover?
A: Each of the free poetry readings on Friday, April 25, the conference on Saturday April 26 and the gala dinner with Dana Gioia on April 26 will be open for media coverage. If you're a member of the media, please contact Katie Paine for more information.