The Altadena Poets Laureate play an important role in promoting poetry in Altadena through the organization of poetry-centered events at the Altadena Libraries and publication of the online Altadena Literary Review. The Altadena Library’s current Poets Laureate are seeking applicants for Poets Laureate for the 2022-2024 term. To apply, submit the following application and attachments (in Word or PDF format) via email to poetsandallies@gmail.com by February 11, 2022. Any applications received after the due date will not be considered.

How to Apply:

Write a Letter of Application with contact information, biography, and resume (up to four pages). Please include your full name, professional name (if different), home address, phone, email, website (optional), places you have been published, your own publications, featured readings, and other activities in the Altadena/Pasadena community or the poetry community at large. In your letter, please comment about what you envision doing while Poet Laureate, including potential ideas for readings, workshops, or other community events. Please list your past editorial and online publishing experience, if any. Candidates will be asked to meet briefly with a committee and share their work and ideas.

Due to the substantial workload of the Poet Laureateship, two Poets Laureate will be selected:

  1. Poet Laureate for Community Events AND
  2. 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 involves identifying, planning, scheduling, and coordinating literary readings and/or workshops with the library, including the annual Altadena Poetry Review Reading. To publicize the Poet Laureateship, it will also involve attending and participating in readings at local community sponsored literary events at public schools, bookstores, libraries, and other venues.

Serving as Poet Laureate Editor in Chief of the online Altadena Literary Review is a large commitment. There is a considerable amount of administrative work involved in advertising for submissions, reconciling editorial decisions, notifying poets, posting poems/bios/pics on the website, and planning the annual reading among other administrative tasks. The library has a stipend to pay for the website subscription and other small fees.

The Poet Laureate Editor in Chief will either take this work on directly or outsource the work appropriately. Further fundraising might be required by the Poets Laureate to pay for outsourcing. 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 but is responsible for the production of the online website, which serves the local literary community at large.

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 2022 through April 2024. Applicants for Poet Laureate of Community Events will conceptualize, organize, and lead at least one public program per year 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. The Poets Laureate also lead the search for the following Poets Laureate toward the end of their term.
  • Available to attend the Altadena Library Laureate Inauguration as part of the library’s annual Poetry & Cookies program.
  • Applicants are rated by:
    1. quality and appeal of their poetry, and
    2. activities in Altadena/ Pasadena or the poetry community at large. Editing and online publishing experience will also be considered since the selected Poet Laureate Editor in Chief will serve as online editor of the Altadena Literary Review for 2023 and 2024.

APPLICATIONS SENT TO ANY OTHER EMAIL ADDRESS OR IN HARD COPY THROUGH POSTAL MAIL OR DELIVERED TO THE LIBRARY OR ANY OTHER DESTINATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

CLICK HERE to download a PDF version of the above Altadena Poets Laureate 2022 to 2024 Application.