Poetry & Literature News

WEBCAST: Asian-American Poetry Today

Filipino-American poet Eileen Tabios reads from her work, followed by a moderated discussion.

From the Catbird Seat: Poetry and Literature Blog

The Poetry and Literature Center is pleased to announce the launch of a new blog, "From the Catbird Seat." The blog aims to celebrate the Center and the wealth of literary resources at the Library of Congress, as well as engaging with current topics in literature. Bloggers will include Library staff and special guests, such as the Poets Laureate Consultants in Poetry. To check out the blog, visit http://blogs.loc.gov/catbird/.

"Poetry of September 11" - Library of Congress Web Guide

As the tenth anniversary of September 11 approaches, "Poetry of September 11" allows readers to explore the country's poetic response to the terrorist attacks.

New Webcast: Poet Yermiyahu Ahron Taub

Yermiyahu Ahron Taub reads from his new book of poetry, "Uncle Feygele," which explores the issues encountered by gay Orthodox Jews. He follows up with questions from the audience regarding the book and translating between English and Yiddish.

Philip Levine: Online Resources

A guide to online resources related to Philip Levine, the 18th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress.

Librarian of Congress Appoints Philip Levine Poet Laureate

Librarian of Congress James H. Billington today announced the appointment of Philip Levine as the Library's 18th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry for 2011-2012. Levine will take up his duties in the fall, opening the Library’s annual literary season with a reading of his work at the Coolidge Auditorium on Monday, Oct. 17.

Witter Bynner Fellows Poetry Reading 2011

Poet Laureate W.S. Merwin chose two seasoned voices in poetry, Forrest Gander and Robert Bringhurst, to receive the 2011 Witter Bynner Fellowships, and introduced the poets at a ceremony at the Library of Congress.

W.S. Merwin Closes the Literary Season

U.S. Poet Laureate W.S. Merwin--the two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize, hailed by the New York Times as the "undisputed master"--concluded the Library of Congress spring literary season with a reading of his work.

Amateur Poetry Anthologies: A Guide to Finding Your Published Poems

The Library of Congress receives hundreds of requests each year from people seeking to find their poems. The majority of these poems were submitted to poetry contests and subsequently published in amateur poetry anthologies. This guide describes many of the publishers that have run poetry contests whose winning poems were published in amateur poetry anthologies, and offers information on how to locate these anthologies at the Library of Congress, other libraries, and bookstores.

New Laurels for the 16th Laureate

Kay Ryan, the 16th Poet Laureate of the United States (2008-2010), has won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry.

New "Poet and the Poem" Program Features Gray Jocobik

Poet Gray Jacobik is interviewed by Grace Cavalieri as part of the ongoing series "The Poet and the Poem at the Library of Congress."

Robert Casper Named Head of the Poetry Center

Robert Casper, programs director for the Poetry Society of America, has been named the head of the Poetry and Literature Center in the Office of Scholarly Programs at the Library of Congress.

Poet Laureate W.S. Merwin Opens the Literary Season

W.S. Merwin, the newly-announced 17th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress, an undisputed master who has won nearly every major literary award, opens the Library's 2010-2011 literary season with a reading of his poetry.

A Celebration of American Poets Laureate

Some of the most distinguished voices in American poetry--seven former U. S. Poets Laureate/Consultants in Poetry--reunited in the historic Coolidge Auditorium of the Library of Congress for a night of poetry. The event marked publication of "The Poets Laureate Anthology," a volume which brings together for the first time in print a sampling of poems by all of the U.S Poets Laureate/Consultants in Poetry.

Lucia Perillo Awarded Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry

The Library of Congress will award the 2010 Rebekah Johnson Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry to Lucia Perillo for her book "Inseminating the Elephant."

Library of Congress Web Guide - Poetry of September 11

Poetry of September 11 is a guide to print and online poetry about the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

New Poetry Anthology Features Works by the Poets Laureate

Since 1937, the Librarian of Congress has periodically appointed a Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry who aims to raise the public’s appreciation for poetry. Works by each of the 43 poets who have held the country’s top poetry position have been compiled in "The Poets Laureate Anthology," a new volume published by the Library of Congress.

W.S. Merwin: Online Resources

This guide compiles links to resources on new U.S. Poet Laureate W.S. Merwin throughout the Library of Congress Web site, as well as links to external Web sites that include features on his life or selections of his work.

W.S. Merwin Named Poet Laureate

Librarian of Congress James H. Billington today announced the appointment of W.S. Merwin as the Library's 17th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry for 2010-2011.

Poet Laureate Kay Ryan's Farewell Reading

Poet Laureate Kay Ryan concludes her second and final term as Poet Laureate at the Library of Congress with a reading from her newest volume of poetry "The Best of It: New and Selected Poems," published in March 2010.

Submissions Open for Poetry at Noon Series

The Poetry and Literature Center at the Library of Congress is seeking submissions from poets who would like to read at the Poetry at Noon series for fall 2010 and spring 2011. Submissions must be postmarked by Thursday, July 15.

Winning Poems from the "Poetry for the Mind's Joy" Poetry Contest Available Online

Read a sampling of winning poems from the Community College Poetry Competition, part of U.S. Poet Laureate Kay Ryan's "Poetry for the Mind's Joy" project.

Nominations Open for Bobbitt Poetry Prize

The Library of Congress is accepting nominations from publishers for the $10,000 Rebekah Johnson Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry. The prize, for the year 2010, will be awarded in the fall.

Library of Congress Poetry Resources Web Conference

In celebration of National Poetry Month, on April 7 the Library held a Web conference titled "Laurels & Lyrics: Poetry Resources at the Library of Congress." A recording of the program is available online through the Online Programming for All Libraries (OPAL) archive.

Poet Laureate's Project, "Poetry for the Mind's Joy," Featured on Library of Congress Website

Detailed information on U.S. Poet Laureate Kay Ryan's poetry project with community colleges—"Poetry for the Mind’s Joy"—can now be found on the Library of Congress website at www.loc.gov/poetry/mindsjoy/.

Love Poems and Romance Movie "Bright Star" Celebrate Valentine's Day at Library of Congress, Feb. 9

The annual noontime "Love Poems" reading at the Library of Congress will feature a special guest who recently received a diamond ring as a grand prize in a national love-letter-writing contest. After the reading, the Library will show the romance movie "Bright Star."

Poets Tony Hoagland and Lucia Perillo

National Book Critics Circle Award finalist Tony Hoagland from Houston, Texas, and MacArthur fellow Lucia Perillo from Olympia, Wash., share their poetry.

"Poet and Poem" Radio Series for 2010

Seventeen noted writers will be featured in the 2010 season of "The Poet and the Poem from the Library of Congress." The radio series is available to all public radio stations via the Public Radio Satellite System's ContentDepot, starting Jan. 13, 2010.

Webcast of Community College Poetry Project Launch

A webcast of Poet Laureate Kay Ryan's reading to open the literary season, during which she announced a national poetry project that embraces community colleges through an online poetry page" "Poetry for the Mind's Joy" and a poetry-writing contest.

Robert Frost: Online Resources

This guide compiles links to resources on Robert Frost throughout the Library of Congress Web site, as well as selected links to external Web sites that include features on his life or selections of his work. For resources on other U.S. poets laureate and consultants in poetry, see http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/poetslaureate/.

2009 Witter Bynner Fellows

Poet Laureate Kay Ryan has chosen two gifted voices in poetry, Christina Davis and Mary Szybist, for the 2009 Witter Bynner Fellowships, and will introduce the poets on Feb. 26 at the Library of Congress.

Abraham Lincoln and Poetry

This Library of Congress Web guide provides an overview of Abraham Lincoln as a reader, writer, recipient, and subject of poetry.

Gwendolyn Brooks: Online Resources

This guide compiles links to resources on former Consultant in Poetry Gwendolyn Brooks throughout the Library of Congress Web site and elsewhere on the Web.

Poet and Poem 2009 Series

U.S. Poet Laureate Kay Ryan and 30 other noted poets will be featured in the 2009 season of "The Poet and the Poem from the Library of Congress." The radio series is available to all public radio stations via the Public Radio Satellite System’s ContentDepot.

The Poetry of Barack Obama

When President-elect Barack Obama was a 19-year-old student at Occidental College, he published two poems in the college's literary magazine. Read these poems online as part of the Library of Congress' "Presidents as Poets" Web guide.

The Poetry of Barack Obama

Watch Poetry Webcasts from the 2008 National Book Festival

The Library of Congress National Book Festival Web site provides access to webcasts of poets, authors, illustrators, and other speakers at the 2008 National Book Festival. Poetry webcasts for the 2008 festival include readings by U.S. poet laureate Kay Ryan, Eavan Boland, Dan Chiasson, Elsa Cross, Michael Lind, Molly Peacock, Stanley Plumly, and J. Allyn Rosser.

New "Poet and the Poem" Program features Poet Laureate Kay Ryan

An audio interview with Kay Ryan is the latest addition to Grace Cavalieri's "Poet and the Poem," an ongoing series of live poetry interviews at the Library of Congress with distinguished artists. Other recent programs now available feature Terrance Hayes, Andrea Hollander Budy, and Sarah Maclay.

Kay Ryan: Online Resources

This guide compiles links to resources on newly appointed U.S. Poet Laureate Kay Ryan throughout the Library of Congress Web site and elsewhere on the Web.

Librarian of Congress Appoints Kay Ryan Poet Laureate

Librarian of Congress James H. Billington today announced the appointment of Kay Ryan as the Library’s 16th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry for 2008-2009.

Joseph Brodsky: Online Resources

This guide compiles links to resources on former poet laureate Joseph Brodsky on the Library of Congress Web site and other English-language sites.

United States Poets Laureate: Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the U.S. poet laureateship.

New Guides to Poets Laureate Available

New Web guides to online resources for former U.S. poets laureate Stanley Kunitz, Robert Pinsky, Rita Dove, and Robert Hass are now available.

Poet Laureate Charles Simic Gives Swan Song Lecture

Charles Simic made the final appearance of his tenure as U.S. Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry when he presented a lecture on poetry translation at the Library of Congress.

XVI Poetry Marathon of Teatro de la Luna

The Hispanic Division of the Library of Congress hosted an afternoon of Spanish poetry featuring poets from Spain, Latin America and the Caribbean. Each poet read a selection in Spanish, followed by an open discussion in English moderated by Dominican poet Rei Berroa of George Mason University. Featured poets were Spaniards Ana Rossetti, Juan Carlos Mestre and Vicente Cervera Salinas. From Mexico were Hector Carretto, Dana Gelinas, Hernan Bravo Varela and Ciprian Cabrera Jasso. Also participating were Mateo Morrison, Dominican Republic; Otoniel Guevara, El Salvador; Marcelo Pellegrini, Chile; Ivon Gordon-Vailakis, Ecuador; and Juana Goergen, Puerto Rico.

Octavio Paz Symposium

Octavio Paz (1914-1998) was a world-famous poet, writer and essayist. His writing, which garnered him the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1990, has been characterized as impassioned and marked with sensuous intelligence and humanistic integrity. A two-hour symposium, "A Tribute to Octavio Paz," was sponsored by the Library's Hispanic Division and the Poetry Office, in cooperation with the Mexican Cultural Institute of Washington, D.C.

United States Poets Laureate: A Guide to Online Resources

Locate online resources related to U.S. poets laureate. Completed guides link to Library of Congress Web pages that include information on the poet laureate's life and work, as well as to external Web sites that feature biographical information, interviews, poems, audio, video, and other materials that highlight the activities of each poet.

Poetry of Mark Strand and Charles Wright

Mark Strand and Charles Wright read from their works as part of the Poetry Center's Spring literary season.

Bob Hicok and Charles Wright Awarded 2008 Bobbitt National Poetry Prize

The distinguished Rebekah Johnson Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry, created 20 years ago, will be awarded to two poets who teach at universities in Virginia: Bob Hicok of Virginia Tech and Charles Wright of the University of Virginia.

Continue Celebrating National Poetry Month through the Library of Congress Web site

The Library of Congress offers a wealth of poetry materials on its Web site, including information about the U.S. poet laureate, webcasts of poets reading and discussing their work, features on poetry written by U.S. presidents, and links to thousands of primary source materials--poems, letters, photographs, audio, and video recordings--that bring the history American poetry to life.

Poetry Reading by Li-Young Lee and David Kirby

The Library of Congress literary season continued with poetry readings by Li-Young Lee and David Kirby sponsored by the Poetry and Literature Center.

U.S. Poet Laureate Offers Advice on Writing Poetry

Read U.S. Poet Laureate Charles Simic's advice on writing poetry.

New poems added to Poetry 180 Web site

Six new poems selected by former Poet Laureate Billy Collins are now available through Poetry 180. Look for a "New" icon next to each poem's title.

New Library Guide to Charles Simic Resources

Use this guide to locate resources related to Charles Simic on the Library of Congress website and elsewhere on the Web.

Librarian of Congress Appoints Charles Simic Poet Laureate

Librarian of Congress James H. Billington has announced the appointment of Charles Simic to be the Library’s 15th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry.

Sixteen new "Poet and the Poem" webcasts added to the Library's Web site

"The Poet and the Poem" is an ongoing series of live poetry interviews at the Library of Congress. Listen to sixteen new audio webcasts from the series, including interviews with Louise Glück, Jane Hirshfield, and current U.S. Poet Laureate Donald Hall.

Thomas Jefferson and Presidential Poetry

Learn about the poetic endeavors of Thomas Jefferson and other presidents of the United States through this National Poetry Month feature on the Library's Wise Guide.

New Library Web page features Witter Bynner Fellows

On March 13, Poet Laureate Donald Hall chose Laurie Lamon and David Tucker for the 2007 Witter Bynner Fellowships. Learn more about these emerging poets on the Library's new Witter Bynner Web page.