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The Wisconsin P.O.E.T. Chapter (representing People of Extraordinary Talent) is a regional division of a broader international cultural and performance arts group known as P.O.E.T.. The organization, founded by poetry performer Blaq Ice (De'Andre Hawthorne) focuses on empowering individuals and building community through the spoken word, creative writing, and music. The Wisconsin chapter is heavily rooted in Racine and Milwaukee. The chapter hosts performance art events, poetry slams, youth division mentorship programs, and local artistic tours.
Creative Wisconsin / Wisconsin Writers Association
Published triannually by the Wisconsin Writers Association, Creative Wisconsin accepts poetry, flash fiction, and essays from writers across Janesville and Rock County. Members of JAWS and local writing circles are encouraged to submit original verse (up to 25 lines) to the magazine's regional editorial board via wwapress@wiwrite.org. Explore submission details on the Wisconsin Writers Association Submissions Page, follow announcements on the WWA Facebook Page, and read regional author profiles on Civic Media.
Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets (WFOP)
Established in 1951, the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets (WFOP) is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the writing, reading, and public appreciation of poetry across Wisconsin. Operating through seven distinct WFOP Regional Branches, the organization connects emerging and established writers through semi-annual statewide gatherings featured on the WFOP Conferences Calendar, offering craft workshops, keynote presentations, panel discussions, open mics, and book fairs. Members receive the quarterly WFOP Museletter and can submit to the annual Wisconsin Poets' Calendar, a long-running print project highlighting poets with ties to the state. In addition, the organization administers competitive opportunities with cash prizes detailed on the WFOP Annual Contests Page—including the WFOP Muse Prize, the WFOP Chapbook Contest, and student awards—alongside member micro-grants, webinars, and listings in the WFOP Member Directory. Direct inquiries via email to wfopweb@gmail.com, explore resources on the official Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets Website, follow announcements on the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets Facebook Page, and browse past contest listings on Poets & Writers.
Wisconsin Poet Laureate Program & Commission
The Wisconsin Poet Laureate Commission is an all-volunteer governing body that oversees the selection, promotion, and civic initiatives of the official Wisconsin Poet Laureate. Supported by statewide cultural partners—including the Wisconsin Arts Board, Wisconsin Humanities, Woodland Pattern Book Center, Arts + Literature Laboratory, and the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters—the Commission conducts a biennial open nomination and application process to select a poet who will serve a two-year term as the state’s literary ambassador. The Poet Laureate travels throughout the state to deliver public readings, lead youth and adult creative writing workshops, and spearhead statewide engagement projects, such as the regional visual art and ekphrastic writing relays highlighted on the Wisconsin Poet Laureate Project Page. For guidelines on the laureateship nomination cycle, commission contacts, and statewide project participation, send inquiries to contact@wisconsinpoetlaureate.org, learn more on the Wisconsin Poet Laureate Commission Website, stay connected through the Wisconsin Poet Laureate Facebook Page, and view broadcast features on PBS Wisconsin.
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