Find poetry readings, workshops, festivals, conferences, literary organizations, and poetry-friendly bookstores, and learn more about poets laureate, in your area.
State Poet Laureate
In 1963, Virginia established a state poet laureate position, which is currently held by Mattie Quesenberry Smith, who was appointed to a two-year term in 2024.
Alexandria
In 2022, Zeina Azzam became the poet laureate of Alexandria, Virginia.
Arlington County
In 2020, Holly Karapetkova was appointed poet laureate of Arlington County.
Fairfax County
In 2024, Angelique Palmer was appointed poet laureate of Fairfax County through 2027.
| Type | Title | State |
|---|---|---|
| Literary Magazine | Blackbird | Virginia |
| Festival | Fall for the Book Festival | Virginia |
| Poetry-Friendly Bookstore | Riverby Books | Virginia |
| Literary Magazine | Gargoyle | Virginia |
| Reading Series | Virginia Commonwealth University's Visiting Writer Series | Virginia |
| Literary Magazine | Meridian | Virginia |
| Reading Series | University of Richmond Writers Series | Virginia |
| Small Press | Orchises Press | Virginia |
| Festival | Virginia Festival of the Book | Virginia |
| Literary Magazine | Phoebe | Virginia |
Bob Hicok was born in 1960. His poetry collection This Clumsy Living (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2007) was awarded the 2008 Bobbitt Prize from the Library of Congress.
Camisha L. Jones is the author of the chapbook Flare (Finishing Line Press, 2017).
In 1957, Claudia Emerson was born in Chatham, Virginia. Among her many honors are the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry, which she received in 2006 for her book Late Wife (Louisiana State University Press, 2005).