Monroe County Poet Laureate Program

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The Pocono Cinema and Cultural Center is pleased to announce the formation of the Monroe County Poet Laureate Program. The Program is an opportunity for writers residing in Monroe County, Pennsylvania which seeks to recognize work of outstanding literary merit and promote further interest and appreciation of the art form through community outreach. To this end, the Committee shall meet to appoint a Poet Laureate of Monroe County.

The role of the Poet Laureate is to further interest and appreciation of poetry in Monroe county by organizing and appearing at community events, projects or public readings, interface with other educational or community outreach initiatives and promote the Poet Laureate Program. The position is not compensated at this time. 

The Committee shall consist of three to five members. The role of the Committee is to assist the poet laureate logistically in achieving the above ends, to review applications and to select new Poets Laureate. 

Current Members:

Dr. Carlton Neil Farnbaugh

Joseph Tanczyn

Dr. Melissa Geiger

Danielle Romanow

The application period for 2024 is 1/25/2024 - 3/31/2024.

Applicants must:

1. Be 21 years of age or older
2. Have written a body of work meriting recognition 
3. Have a demonstrable history of poetry ambassadorship in Monroe County, Pennsylvania
4. Be a resident of Monroe County, Pennsylvania
5. Be willing to travel throughout the county
6. Not be a current Committee member or board member of the Pocono Cinema and Cultural Center

 Applicants should submit a resume detailing their dedication, outreach activities and accomplishments pertaining to poetry as well as a manuscript of their work (approximately twenty pages) using the form below. The manuscript may contain previously published work. Applicants may be subject to criminal background check by the committee.

For general inquiries, contact poetlaureatecommittee@poconocinema.org