Louisiana Poetry.com
A New Site for Louisiana Poets
Please support this site by donating and /or purchasing some of the merchandise from the links below. This site is presented by Steven Robert Heine. Heine is a disabled poet in his 70's. He was crippled in a fall several years ago and suffered a stroke in 2023. Your support will help cover costs of this site and provide more frequent updates.
Louisiana Poetry and Writing Groups.
The current Louisiana State Poet Laureate is:
John Warner SmithJohn Warner Smith earned his MFA at the University of New Orleans. He teaches English at Southern University in Baton Rouge and leads a non-profit organization that seeks to improve outcomes in public schools. He has published four collections of poetry, with a fifth collection scheduled to be released this year.Previous Louisiana State Poet Laureates:
Emma Wilson Emery
(1942-1970)
Ethel Green Russell
(1970-1973)
Dr. George William Noel Cooper (1973-1976)
Henry Thomas Voltz
(1976-1980)
Jean McGivney Boese (1980-1988)
Pinkie Gordon Lane(1988-1992)
Sylvia Davison Lott Buckley (1992-1996)
Jean McGivney Boese
(1996-2004)
Brenda Marie Osbey
(March 7, 2005-2007)
Darrell Bourque
(November 2007-June 2008; May 20, 2009-May 2011)
Julie Kane
(May 2011-May 2013)
Ava Leavell Haymon
(June 21, 2013-June 2015)
Peter Cooley
(August 14, 2015-August 14, 2017)
Jack Bedell
(August 15, 2017-August 13, 2019)
The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities is a nonprofit organization that supports artists and writers all over the State. They do this through grants and programs. Please see link above or contact them at:938 Lafayette Street, Suite 300
New Orleans, LA 70113
The Louisiana State Poetry Society welcomes poets from all over the State to join them. Yearly membership is $25.00. The Society offers two poetry contests every year and has chapters in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Monroe. They also hold two conferences every year, when possible. Please see site for contest information and updates.
For the past several years, thousands of North Dakota high school students have participated in the Poetry Out Loud State recitation competitions, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts. Your high school is invited to participate.
Poetry Out Loud is a wonderful program for students. The program helps the develop Stage and speaking skills, confidence and a love of poetry. Poetry really needs to be spoken to truly be enjoyed. Please show your support for this important project in North Dakota. Contact Poetry Out Loud If your high school is not yet involved, contact Poetry Out Loud to get involved. And check the link also for 2021 contest dates and locations.
Louisiana Poetry Slam is a great event and competition for local poets. There are many groups and venues in Louisiana for poetry slam events. Adults often compete for cash prizes or for a chance to compete in the National Finals. Check with your local poetry group for details and times.
** The North Shore Literary Society** promotes writers in the Covington area working in all genres of writing. The group provides speakers and events for writers and authors to network. This from their mission statement: ‘The Northshore Literary Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a central point for our vibrant literary community through social and educational events, support of each others work, and promotion of literacy throughout our area.’ Membership is $35.00 per year.
.
Founded in 2002, The Bayou Writers Group lists their goals to ‘the goal of the Bayou Writers Group is to educate, encourage, and inspire.’ The group meets monthly (when possible) at the Central Library in Lake Charles. Bayou Writers produces publications, conferences and resources for Lake Charles writers. Please see link for more information.
The Writers Guild of Acadiana is a group in Lafayette, open to writers of all genres. Yearly dues are $25.00 per year. Meetings are open to all area writers and authors. This update from their site: ‘Our meetings are currently suspended because of the COVID-19 virus. When we resume, we hope to continue on the last Tuesday of each month at the Barnes and Noble Book Store in Lafayette, Louisiana.’&&&&&&&&&&&
What follows are links to purchase tee shirts and merchandise, many designed by Steven Robert Heine. Proceeds will be used to support this site.
About the author: Steven Robert Heine is an American poet and author. He has spent much of his life supporting poetry projects and events. He is the author of 8 volumes of poetry. In 2011 he was seriously injured in a fall that left him in great pain and almost unable to walk. He suffered a stroke in 2023. Heine receives no disability and relies on a small pension and retirement income. He is no longer able to make public appearances.
We hope you will consider purchasing some of the merchandise in the links below. Many are original tee-shirts and merchandise created by Steven Robert Heine.
Thank you!
Heine tries to provide this site as a service to the poets of Louisiana.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Steven Robert Heine is a West Coast poet & author. He has traveled extensively through the United States, including travels to Louisiana. He has spent his life promoting poetry; serving as founder for many poetry contests. He is the author of fifteen books, including poetry, history and his own short auto-biographies. His books can be found on Ebay, Amazon and Amazon Kindle.
Heine was crippled in a fall in 2011 and now makes very few public appearances.