From April 29 to May 31, Borough President Melinda Katz, along with Queens Public Library and Queens College, are accepting applications for the next Queens Poet Laureate.
What does the position do, you ask? According to Brough Hall, the poet laureate, an unpaid role, is “charged with promoting a love of poetry and literacy throughout the borough.”
Applicants must be published poets and residents of Queens. The winning candidate should be a “talented writer who can also demonstrate that she or he has a compelling vision for the role.”
Applications for the position will be available here starting April 29. The deadline is 5 p.m. on May 31.
To apply, submit a writing sample of up to 10 pages of your poetry, along with an essay of up to 500 words on why you want to be the next Queens Poet Laureate.
Applicants must also submit a one or two page resume focused on poetry-related work, along with public readings, grants, fellowships or awards.
Once selected, the poet laureate will serve for a three-year term.
Here are the past Queens Poet Laureates: Maria Lisella (2015-2018), Paolo Javier (2010-2014), Julio Marzan (2007-2010), Ishle Yi Park (2004-2007), Hal Sirowitz (2001-2004) and Stephen Stepanchev (1997-2001).
