Emerald Coast Writers is thrilled to announce the launch of the Emerald Coast Youth Poet Laureate program, inviting passionate young poets ages 13–19 to apply.
This opportunity is open to teens who reside in one of the following counties: Escambia (FL and AL), Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Fort Walton, Bay, Baldwin, or Mobile. Applicants should be enthusiastic about reading and performing their poetry for an audience and giving back to their community.
Applications open in late March and close on April 10. Applicants will submit five poems and a resume highlighting community involvement and civic service. Finalists will be eligible to compete at the regional level and could potentially apply for the next National Youth Poet Laureate.
ECW will host a virtual workshop on March 10 at 7:30 PM to answer questions and help build poetry portfolios and resumes. ECW’s current Northwest Florida Poet Laureate, Asia Sampson, will attend to share his incredible poetry and offer inspiration. Registration is required, with a recording available for those registered and unable to attend.
The commencement ceremony will take place on Sunday, March 3, at 5:00 PM at the Pensacola Museum of Art.
For more information and future updates, visit: https://www.emeraldcoastwritersinc.org/
To learn more about the National Youth Poet Laureate program, visit: https://www.youthlaureate.org/
Emerald Coast Writers looks forward to meeting and celebrating the voices of young poets across the region.
About Emerald Coast Writers
Emerald Coast Writers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all-volunteer organization based in downtown Pensacola, Florida. Initially founded in 1986 as the West Florida Literary Federation, it now has over 100 members. ECW works to preserve the area’s literary heritage and cultural scene by hosting contests and workshops, sponsoring community events and youth programs, and organizing the Books by the Bay Festival.
