This summer, let your voice be heard (and I’m not just talking about letting off steam from all the heat and water that have come our way). Earlier this month, we invited members to provide perspectives on our society: why you joined, what you are most interested in, what is working, and how we can do better. If you have not completed this survey, please do so by August 15th. Members should have received a link via email in early July, and a reminder link will be sent to members on or about August 1.

Beyond a survey, we work to amplify the voices of poets (especially our members!) every day:

• We promote open mic events and poetry shares.
• We offer workshops and presentations focused on craft so you can enhance your poetic voice.
• We offer contests with opportunities for readings and publication.
• We promote member publications, from individual works to books, along with workshops or other events in which a member may be featured.
• We offer a monthly roundup with submission opportunities and more.

For more information on all we have to offer, peruse our website, monthly newsletters, social media (@poetrysocietyoftennessee on Facebook and Instagram), or reach out to poetrytennessee@gmail.com.

If you’ve not renewed for the new program year, it’s not too late. (And now is always a good time to join us!) At just $25, our membership fee is well worth the value. Find membership information here (online & mail options available).

Our monthly member contest list is now full, and we thank the sponsors and volunteers who make our contest program possible. We have a couple of special contests in our line-up. First, if you missed it last year, I invite you to try the Full Moon Poetry Contest this year, now open for submissions. And a corporate sponsor has brought us a great opportunity for member poets to be published in two venues, with great prizes. Get contest details here.

Earlier this month, John Davis Jr. led members through a fascinating presentation on the use of literary and cultural influences in poetry. On August 9, Memphis native Heather Dobbins will join us for a discussion on persona poetry, with examples of persona in poetry and micro-fiction along with a generative session to put the persona poem into practice.

The Anthology Editorial Board is busy working onTennessee Voices Anthology, 2024-2025, and publication is expected late summer. We look forward to launching this book.

Check out more poetry calls, events, and other opportunities here.

We are always looking for volunteers to support our mission. (We promise, inquiries are not expectations for a commitment.) Current, specific needs include the following:

• Help inspire our next generation of poets as 2025-2026 Student Contest Chair.
• Our Regional Connections Committee is in need of someone to take minutes for meetings and others to represent some of our regions.
• We are also seeking volunteers with a passion for contests or marketing to help connect our community and get the word out.

Contact us at poetrytennessee@gmail.com to learn more.

Curious about PST? Join us at a meeting or other activity. Reach out anytime. I hope to see you soon at an event—in person or virtual. Members, please send in your survey. And poets, everywhere: raise your voices this summer, in that magical way only poetry allows.

With gratitude and attention—
Lisa Kamolnick
President, Poetry Society of Tennessee

P.S. When you aren’t working on your own voice, why not take the Sealey Reading Challenge this August, and work your way through other poets’ voices one book a day all through August. Get details here.