2021 Celebrity Judge – Ernest Hilbert

2021 Celebrity Judge – Ernest Hilbert

Ernest Hilbert is the author of Sixty Sonnets, All of You on the Good Earth, and Caligulan, which was selected as winner of the 2017 Poets’ Prize. His fourth collection, Last One Out, appeared in March 2019. He lives in Philadelphia where he works as a rare book...
Why Poets Write | by Melinda Rizzo

Why Poets Write | by Melinda Rizzo

Why Poets Write: An interview with Ona Gritz and Dan Simpson It’s tempting to write about the big things. Throughout time poets have been reliable historians – think The Epic of Gilgamesh from about 2100 BCE – it’s among the oldest surviving great literary...
Writing Poetry During the Pandemic | by Melinda Rizzo

Writing Poetry During the Pandemic | by Melinda Rizzo

MCPLs Autumn Konopka and Liz Chang on writing poetry during the pandemic As poets continue to wrestle with, sift through, and struggle against a global pandemic that has upended ordinary life, the ability to make sense of it all may prove elusive. Deadlocked or stuck....
Full Circle Microgrants | by Melinda Rizzo

Full Circle Microgrants | by Melinda Rizzo

  David Gaines knows it’s hard to explore your creative voice when you’re worried about paying the bills. That’s why the Montgomery County Poet Laureate supports his community outreach project to help other poets and writers pay their bills. “This idea came about...
MCPL Resources | by Melinda Rizzo

MCPL Resources | by Melinda Rizzo

As refuge, protest, or a way to figure out and make sense of the world poets are compelled to make poetry. Poetry as barometer – as oral history keeper, or as a forum for social and cultural change. After all, maverick poets are known throughout time for...