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 1995, Maine established a state poet laureate position, which is currently held by Dawn Potter, who was appointed to a five-year term in 2026.
City and County Poets Laureate
Belfast
In 2025, Audrey Gidman was appointed as the poet laureate of Belfast, Maine.
Portland
In 2024, Signature MiMi was appointed as the eighth poet laureate of Portland, Maine. They will serve through 2027.
| Type | Title | State |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Series | UMaine New Writing Series | Maine |
| Poetry-Friendly Bookstore | Devaney Doak & Garrett Booksellers | Maine |
| Literary Magazine | The Accompanist | Maine |
| Poetry-Friendly Bookstore | Gulf of Maine Books | Maine |
| Literary Magazine | Aroostook Review | Maine |
| Poetry-Friendly Bookstore | Left Bank Books | Maine |
| Small Press | Alice James Books | Maine |
| Poetry-Friendly Bookstore | Longfellow Books | Maine |
| Literary Magazine | Beloit Poetry Journal | Maine |
| Poetry-Friendly Bookstore | Royal River Books | Maine |
Stuart Kestenbaum is the author of five collections of poems, most recently How to Start Over (Deerbrook Editions, 2019). He was appointed Maine’s poet laureate in 2016.
Julia Bouwsma was born in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1980.