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 2008, Missouri established a state poet laureate position, which is currently held by David L. Harrison, who was appointed to a two-year term in 2023.
City and County Poets Laureate
St. Louis
In 2019, Jane Ellen Ibur was named poet laureate of St. Louis, Missouri. She will serve a one-year term.
Kansas City
In 2025, Melissa Ferrer Civil was appointed poet laureate of Kansas City.
| Type | Title | State |
|---|---|---|
| Literary Organization | Writer's Challenge Literary Association | Missouri |
| Poetry-Friendly Bookstore | Columbia Books | Missouri |
| Literary Organization | Missouri Writers' Guild | Missouri |
| Poetry-Friendly Bookstore | Left Bank Books | Missouri |
| Writing Program | University of Missouri | Missouri |
| Poetry-Friendly Bookstore | Prospero's Books | Missouri |
| Writing Program | University of Missouri—St. Louis | Missouri |
| Poetry-Friendly Bookstore | Main Street Books | Missouri |
| Writing Program | Washington University in St. Louis | Missouri |
| Poetry-Friendly Bookstore | River Reader | Missouri |
Kevin Prufer is the author of six books of poetry, most recently How He Loved Them (Four Way Books, 2018) and Churches (Four Way Books, 2014). He teaches at the University of Houston and lives in Houston, Texas.
Born on February 29, 1920 in New York, New York, Howard Nemerov displayed an early interest in the arts, as did his younger sister, the photographer Diane Arbus.
Aliki Barnstone is a Greek American and Jewish American poet and translator.