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Lake Superior Writers
2008-2010 Duluth Poet Laureate
The Duluth Poet Laureate The 2006-2008 Poet Laureate 2008-2010 Poet Laureate
Application Guidelines Application Q & A More Information Suggested Duties Download Application Form pdf
2008-2010 Application Guidelines
Application and Selection Processes:A Poet Laureate Selection Committee will review all applications and will select the Duluth Poet Laureate, whose term will be for two years from date of appointment. The Selection Committee is composed of representatives from Duluth’s literary community, related business and organizations, local colleges and/or universities, and other individuals interested in the field of poetry. The Duluth Poet Laureate Committee is organized and administered by Lake Superior Writers, a nonprofit organization based in Duluth, Minnesota.
Application Qualifications:1. Must be a legal resident of Minnesota and have lived and/or worked in the Duluth city area for at least five of the last ten years;2. Has made significant contributions to the literary community;3. A willingness and ability to participate in poet laureate responsibilities, and the intent to live in Duluth or the Duluth city area for the duration of the appointment.
A Complete Application Must Contain:1. A completed Duluth Poet Laureate Application Form; signed by the applying poet; 2. A signed cover letter from the applicant (no more than two single-sided pages), stating why you are interested in the post of Duluth Poet Laureate and what activities you are interested in helping organize;3. A brief biography (one page maximum);4. A full or partial list of your published literary work from the last ten years. Please include publishers, dates of publication, and number of pages of each of the works listed, including self-published or vanity publications;5. Ten pages of poems by the applying poet. Each poem must be typed or printed on 8.5” x 11” paper, single-sided, with at least half inch margins and 12 point typeface;6. A VHS tape or DVD of the poet reading one or two of his or her poems is optional. The application process will take place in two parts: 1.) review of submitted materials and selection of finalists and 2.) the opportunity for the finalists to speak with the selection committee.
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED.
Deadline for Completed Applications: Postmarked by February 15, 2008, or hand-delivered to the Lake Superior Writers office (1301 Rice Lake Road, Suite 132, Duluth) by 4 pm., Monday, February 18, 2008.
Need info? Contact pl@lakesuperiorwriters.org or call 218-722-3094. Please allow 7 - 10 days to receive a reply.
Duluth Poet Laureate Application Q & A
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1. What is a Poet Laureate?Traditionally, the Poet Laureate is an honorary title given to a person who has demonstrated excellence in the literary arts. Currently, there are thirty-seven states states (Minnesota will be the thirty-eighth, in January, 2008), several cities and boroughs that have an official poet laureate. There are now two more Minnesota cities with poet laureates: Winona (James Armstrong) and Red Wing (Robert Hedin).
2. What Does the Poet Laureate Do?The Poet Laureate will work with cultural, educational and other organizations to encourage the public to express their literary creativity, through appearances, readings, workshops, and other public displays of poetry.
3. What is the duration of service for the Duluth Poet Laureate?The Duluth Poet Laureate will serve for two years in that capacity. In the case that the Laureate cannot serve for that duration of time because of extended illness, relocation, job situation, or inability to perform, the selection committee will solicit applications once again from the public. A Poet Laureate may reapply for this position at the end of their term or at any time in the future.
4. Can a poet be nominated by an individual, group of individuals, or an organization or institution?No. Individuals and organizations may encourage and/or support the application of a poet; however, the application form must be signed by the poet and be accompanied by a signed cover letter from the poet, stating why he or she is interested in the post of Duluth Poet Laureate.
5. For qualification purposes, how does the program define the Duluth, Minnesota Area?It is the area that includes Duluth, Hermantown, and Proctor.
6. Are any dates of publication acceptable?No. Only works published within the last ten years will be considered for qualification purposes. As outlined in the program guidelines, a full or partial list of works published in the last ten years must be included with the application. Forthcoming publications will not be considered and should not be included.
7. Are collaborative and/or mixed media works acceptable?Yes. Both collaborative and mixed media works will be considered.
8. Will poems that have been only published online be considered?Yes. Such poems may be included in the application if the publishing site(s) utilizes a competitive review and acceptance process and includes a diverse list of poets, i.e. not restricted to only one poet or poets from a particular group or organization.
More Information about the Poet Laureate
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Deadline for Completed Applications: Postmarked by February 15, 2008, or hand-delivered to the Lake Superior Writers office (1301 Rice Lake Road, Suite 132, Duluth) by 4 pm., Monday, February 18, 2008.
Honorarium for April 2008 - March 2010 term: $3,000
Poet laureate crowning ceremony, April 12, 2008 at the Sacred Heart Music Center.

Suggested Duties the Duluth Poet Laureate
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These are not requirements, but intended to stimulate thought. The poet laureate may choose to devise his or her own initiatives.1. to raise public awareness of poetry through readings, appearances, workshops, and other public displays of poetry.2. to arrange for poet in the school appearances/readings in middle, junior and senior high schools3. to write a monthly poetry column, in which reviews of recent poetry books, individual poems, or other poetry issues are explored. 4. organize poetry workshops at local libraries5. create poems for specific occasions6. help organize an annual city-wide poetry event7. select poems for display on local city buses, billboards and/or on postcards8. be available for a “meal-a-month,” sponsored by a local restaurant
Note: The Poet Laureate may also contract for his services (such as for public and private appearances, poetry readings, teaching residences, speaking engagements, et al.) independent of the oversight and participation of Lake Superior Writers. Compensation will go to the Poet Laureate and should be negotiated with the Poet Laureate directly.
Need info? Contact pl@lakesuperiorwriters.org or call 218-722-3094. Please allow 7 - 10 days to receive a reply.
Lake Superior Writers
1301 Rice Lake Road, Suite 132, Duluth, Minnesota 55811. 218-722-3094 http://www.lakesuperiorwriters.orgwriters@lakesuperiorwriters.org
To send items including calls for submissions, publication announcements, and area literary events, e-mail calendar@lakesuperiorwriters.org
MAP to LSW Office and Meeting Room
Lake Superior Writers is a non-profit corporation with 501(c)3 status.

About the Duluth Poet Laureate
Lake Superior Writers established the position of Duluth Poet Laureate in April, 2006 as a way of honoring our area poets and encouraging the enjoyment of poetry. Duluth was the first city in Minnesota to name a Poet Laureate. There are now two more Minnesota cities with poet laureates: Winona (James Armstrong) and Red Wing (Robert Hedin). LSW and the Duluth Poet Laureate organize and host two to three public events in the Duluth, Minnesota area each year.
The honorary title of Poet Laureate was first used in England during the Middle Ages; it was given to a poet appointed for life. King Henry III appointed a poet laureate and Geoffrey Chaucer was England's Poet Laureate until his death in 1400.
Need info? Contact pl@lakesuperiorwriters.org or call 218-722-3094. Please allow 7 - 10 days to receive a reply.
Duluth Poet Laureate Application

Sponsoring Organizations
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Sponsoring organizations for the 2008-2010 Duluth poet laureate project will be announced soon. Sponsoring organizations for the 2006-2008 Duluth poet laureate project included Lake Superior Writers, the Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation, the Duluth Public Arts Commission, UMD English Department, UMD Academic Affairs, UMD College of Liberal Arts, the College of St. Scholastica English Department, Lake Superior College, Friends of the Duluth Public Library, Northern Lights Books & Gifts, Arrowhead Reading Council, and Barnes & Noble Booksellers.
For Information
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Need info? Contact pl@lakesuperiorwriters.org or call 218-722-3094. Please allow 7 - 10 days to receive a reply.

Lake Superior Writers
1301 Rice Lake Road, Suite 132, Duluth, Minnesota 55811. 218-722-3094 http://www.lakesuperiorwriters.orgwriters@lakesuperiorwriters.org
To send items including calls for submissions, publication announcements, and area literary events, e-mail calendar@lakesuperiorwriters.org
MAP to LSW Office and Meeting Room
Lake Superior Writers is a non-profit corporation with 501(c)3 status.