Nominations Now Open for Poet Laureate of Alabama

 

Alabama Writers’ Cooperative has opened nominations for the office of Poet Laureate of the State of Alabama.

 

The Alabama Poet Laureate is an uncompensated honorary position created by the Alabama Legislature in 1931. Nominees must be Alabama residents who have published at least one volume of poetry with a commercial, educational, or small press and are prepared to promote poetry throughout the state during their four-year term. Past Poet Laureates have included Jennifer Horne and Ashley M. Jones.

Nominations must be received by July 25, 2025.

More information and the online nomination form can be found here:

https://alabamawriterscooperative.org/news/2025/3/15/alabama-state-poet-laureate-nominations

Alabama Writers’ Cooperative is a 102 year-old writers’ organization that provides education and support to writers of prose and poetry through its programs, including an annual writers conference. www.alabamawriterscooperative.org.

 

Previous Laureates:

Samuel Minturn Peck (June 12, 1930-1938)

Mary B. Ward (1954-1958)

Elbert Calvin Henderson (1959-1974)

William Young Elliott (1975-1982)

Carl Patrick Morton (1983-1987)

Morton Dennison Prouty, Jr. (1988-1991)

Ralph Hammond (1992-1995)

Helen Friedman Blackshear (1995-1999)

Helen Norris (1999-2003)

Sue Walker (August 2003-December 2012)

Andrew Glaze (January 2013-February 7, 2016)

Jennifer Horne (2017-2021)

Ashley M. Jones (2022-2026)

 

 Alabama Poet Laureate Nominations Guidelines

What is the Alabama Poet Laureate Position?

The Alabama Poet Laureate recognizes and honors a citizen poet of exceptional talent

and accomplishment. The Alabama Poet Laureate also encourages appreciation of poetry

and literary life in Alabama. This position was created by the state legislature May 5,

1931.

 

What is the Term of Service and Compensation?

The term of service is a four-year renewable term. The award is honorific, there is no

compensation. The term begins January 2, 2026.

 

Who is eligible to be nominated Alabama Poet Laureate?

Any citizen of the state of Alabama may nominate a poet for the Poet Laureate position.

A poet may not self-nominate, and no award will be given posthumously.

 

Nominations for Alabama Poet Laureate will be accepted for Alabama poets who meet

the following eligibility requirements:

1. Must currently be a resident of Alabama and have resided in Alabama for at least ten years.
2. Must be at least 21 years old.
3. Must have at least one book of poetry published by a commercial or small press within the past ten years.
4. Must be available to travel and give presentations.
5. Must have produced work of the highest caliber and critical acclaim and have contributed substantial service to the development of the literary arts as demonstrated by the submitted application.

What is the selection process for Alabama Poet Laureate?

The President of Alabama Writers’ Cooperative has appointed a Poet Laureate Nominations Committee Chair. The Chair has appointed a committee who will review applications and present a candidate for election at the AWC Annual Meeting on September 14, 2025. The Governor of the State of Alabama will then appoint the selected candidate in an official ceremony.

How will Alabama Poet Laureate nominations be evaluated?

1. Excellence as evidenced by the submitted poetry sample.
2. Exemplary professionalism as evidenced by an established history of substantial and significant publications in journals and books including at least one book of poems published by a commercial or small press (see eligibility requirements) and special honors, awards, fellowships, or other recognition.
3. Advancement of poetry in Alabama communities as evidenced by an established history of activity in Alabama’s literary community through readings, publications, public presentations and/or teaching.

To be considered, nominations must include the following:

1. Completed nomination form.
2. Completed nominee form signed by the nominated poet that includes a binding statement that the poetry sample is their own original work and the materials submitted are true and complete.
3. A cover letter from the nominator of no more than two pages providing the following information: name and a short biography of the nominated poet and a summary of significant awards and published works.
4. The nominated poet’s resume.
5. A summary of no more than one page indicating why the nominator considers the work of the nominated poet to be of the highest quality.
6. A work sample of no more than ten poems. Submissions may not exceed 15 continuously numbered 81/2” x 11” pages (one side), no less than 12 point type. Please provide copyright information where appropriate; all submissions become part of the public record. Both published and non-published poetry may be submitted. All submissions must be typewritten or computer-generated. Materials hand-written will not be accepted.
7. A recent photograph of the nominated poet.

Receipt deadline for all nominations is July 25, 2025.

The nomination form and information can be found here:

https://alabamawriterscooperative.org/news/2025/3/15/alabama-state-poet-laureate-nominations

Please send questions to Nominating Committee Chair Tina Mozelle Braziel at: ALpoetsearch@gmail.com