Nominations Open for North Carolina’s Next Poet Laureate
- Details
- Written by Administrator
- Category: Network News
RALEIGH—Nominations for the state's next poet laureate, the ambassador of North Carolina literature, will be accepted from Wednesday, Nov. 15 to Friday, Dec. 8 online at www.NCArts.org.
The public is invited to nominate any North Carolina poet, or themselves, if they feel they are best suited for the position. Only current North Carolina residents are eligible to be nominated. Judging will be based on the following criteria:
- A North Carolinian with deep connections to the cultural life of the state;
- Literary excellence of the poet’s work;
- Influence on other writers, and appreciation of literature in its diversity throughout the state;
- Ability and willingness to conduct the public engagement duties of the office;
- Statewide, national or international reputation.
The post of Poet Laureate was created by the General Assembly in 1935 to promote North Carolina writers and the power of poetry and the written word. The program is implemented by the North Carolina Arts Council, and is an example of how artists are recognized and supported across the state.
Poets nominated for the post will be contacted to affirm their interest in being considered, and will be invited to submit materials in support of their nomination by the deadline, January 5, 2018.
After review of all applicants, a selection committee will recommend names to Governor Roy Cooper, who will choose the ninth poet laureate of North Carolina. An installation ceremony, open to the public, will take place during the first quarter of 2018.
Shelby Stephenson was installed as the poet laureate of North Carolina in February, 2015. An accomplished poet and educator, Stephenson has been a tireless advocate for literacy and a respected ambassador for literature in service to the people of our state.
Since his installation, Stephenson has made 129 appearances in forty-three different North Carolina counties; published three books of poetry (one a reissue), with two additional books scheduled to be published; was awarded the prestigious 2016 Roanoke-Chowan Award for Poetry, for Elegies for Small Game; and received The William "Singing Billy" Walker Award for Lifetime Achievement in Southern Letters from the University of South Carolina-Union, to name a few highlights.
Stephenson’s signature areas of interest included conducting writing workshops in assisted living and retirement communities; implementing workshops for those interested in exploring local archives and their family histories; and promoting writings about farming and farm life in North Carolina.
To start the nomination process, click here.
To learn more about the North Carolina Poet Laureate program visit: https://www.ncarts.org/resources/north-carolina-poet-laureate.
For more information contact David Potorti, Literature and Theater Director at the N.C. Arts Council at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (919) 807-6512.
Media inquiries should be directed to: Rebecca Moore at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (919) 807-6530.
About the North Carolina Arts Council
The North Carolina Arts Council builds on our state’s longstanding love of the arts, leading the way to a more vibrant future. The Arts Council is an economic catalyst, fueling a thriving nonprofit creative sector that generates $2.12 billion in annual direct economic activity. The Arts Council also sustains diverse arts expression and traditions while investing in new innovative approaches to art-making. The North Carolina Arts Council has proven to be a champion for youth by cultivating tomorrow’s creative citizens through arts education. www.NCArts.org.
NCWN's Critiquing and Editing Service: A Reintroduction
- Details
- Written by Administrator
- Category: Network News
Did you know the North Carolina Writers’ Network offers an ongoing critiquing and editing service for its members? Through this program, Network writers have the opportunity to open a dialogue about their work with established writers and editors of varying backgrounds and areas of expertise.
Whether you write fiction or essays, poetry or travelogues, there is a critiquer waiting to help you and your writing take that next step. Check out some recent testimonials:
"It was unbelievably helpful . . . I was totally impressed, and it was well worth the price. You have a very satisfied member."
—NCWN member Reid Wilson
"I received Betsy Humphreys' edits. They are very useful and give me much to correct but also reflect upon! Great service and a very exciting opportunity!"
—NCWN member Karin Lukas-Cox
"I have been working on my novel for quite some time and really wondered if I was on the right track. Therefore, I decided it would be most helpful to send a few pages just to see what someone thought about it. I must say, I am really glad I did, as Mr. Manchester's words greatly inspired me to continue on."
—NCWN member Jennifer Bower
Fees
All manuscripts must have a minimum of 5 pages.
|
Administrative Fee: First 5 – 50 pages: Each page thereafter: |
$30 per manuscript $3 per page $2 per page |
For example, the critique of a 100-page manuscript will cost $280:
$3 per page x 50 = $150
$2 per page x 50 = $100
Administrative Fee = $30
$280
Instructions
All prose manuscripts should be double-spaced, single-sided, with 1-inch margins and in 12-point, Times New Roman font.
Poetry must be single-spaced, with a limit of only one poem per page, with 1-inch margins and in 12-point, Times New Roman font.
Stage plays and screenplays must be submitted in proper format. Guidelines for stage plays and screenplays can be found here (courtesy of Story Sense) and here (courtesy of Writers Store).
Please number your pages.
Manuscripts should NOT be bound when submitted.
Please indicate your first preference plus two back-ups for a critiquer (see list below). Otherwise, we will select an appropriate critiquer based on availability.
To submit your work to the Network’s Critiquing & Editing Service, please send a single envelope or package with the following:
- Your manuscript, properly formatted
- A summary, synopsis, or table of contents for the critiquer’s reference (do not include this page when calculating the fee)
- Payment by check or money order, made payable to the North Carolina Writers' Network
- A self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage for your manuscript
Please mail to:
NCWN Critiquing Service
P.O. Box 21591
Winston-Salem, NC 27120
The critiquer will return the critiqued manuscript to you directly, using the SASE you provided.
If you have any questions, please call 336.293.8844 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
A Manuscript Consultation with your critiquer may be scheduled after the initial critique is complete, but is neither required nor guaranteed. The fee for a post-critique consultation is $50/hour, with no base fee. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if interested in scheduling a consultation.
Critiquers
For the complete list of critiquers, click here.