Seeking Applicants for 2026-2028 Poets Laureate Application Guidelines/Deadline to Apply: Feb. 15, 2026
Our current Poets Laureate are seeking applicants for new Poets Laureate for the 2026-2028 term.
The Altadena Poets Laureate play an important role in promoting poetry in Altadena through curating public poetry readings and workshops at the Altadena Libraries and serving as editor for the publication of the virtual and printed Altadena Literary Review Anthology.
The Altadena Poets Laureate are volunteers who are officially appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Altadena Library District, which provides an annual operating budget for Laureate programming.
To apply, please submit the following application and attachments (in Word or PDF format) via email to altadenapoetryreview@gmail.com by February 15, 2026. Any applications received after the due date will not be considered.
Applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review the Altadena Poet Laureate Volunteer Services Agreement on the Altadena Library District website to gain a full understanding of the responsibilities and expectations for this volunteer role.
How to Apply
Please submit the following documents in one email:
An application letter with contact information, biography and past experiences in directing/curating readings, workshops, or other community events as well as past editorial and online publishing experience. Please also share the work you envision doing while serving as Poet Laureate.
A resume (no more than three pages) that includes your full name, professional name (if different), home address, phone, email, website (optional), your publication history, your own publications, featured readings, and other activities in the Altadena/Pasadena community or the poetry community at large
Two one-page poems that you feel best represent your work
Candidates will be interviewed by members of a selection committee.
Due to the substantial workload of the Poet Laureateship, two Poets Laureate will be selected:
Poet Laureate for Community Events
Poet Laureate Editor in Chief
If you prefer to be considered for a particular role, please indicate this in your letter.
Roles:
Poet Laureate of Community Events is the point person on producing literary readings and/or workshops with the library, including the annual Altadena Poetry Review/ Anthology reading, and will also periodically represent the Laureate program at community-sponsored literary events at public schools, bookstores, libraries, and other venues.
Poet Laureate Editor in Chief is primary editor of the online Altadena Literary Reviewand/or the printed Altadena Literary Review Anthology, including soliciting submissions, reconciling editorial decisions, notifying poets, posting/printing poems/bios/pics, and planning the annual reading. The Poet Laureate Editor in Chief will either take this work on directly or outsource the work. The Poet Laureate Editor in Chief shares the workload with the Poet Laureate of Community Events and has the option of working with an editorial committee.
Eligibility & Requirements:
Be at least 18 years of age AND reside or work in Altadena, Pasadena, or the surrounding area.
Agree to serve as Poet Laureate for the Altadena Library for a term of two years from May 2026 through April 2028 and dedicate 8-12 hours a month to the position. Applicants for Poet Laureate of Community Events will conceptualize, organize, and lead at least one public program per month at the Altadena Library (poetry readings or workshops), in addition to organizing the annual April reading. Applicants for Poet Laureate Editor in Chief will manage submissions, selection, and publication of the online Altadena Literary Review and/or the printed Altadena Literary Review Anthology. The Poets Laureate also lead the search for the following Poets Laureate toward the end of their term.
Organize and attend the Altadena Library Laureate Inauguration as part of the library’s annual Poetry & Cookies program.
Applicants are rated by:
The quality and appeal of their poetry
Their activities and involvement in Altadena/ Pasadena or the poetry community at large, including their editing and online publishing experience
Their ideas for projects, workshops, readings, and other community events
Applications sent to any other email address sent via hard copy through postal mail, or delivered to the library or any other destination will not be considered.