Last month, I invited you to join the Sealey Challenge (read a poetry book a day in August). As I write (one week to go!), I may not have read a whole book every day, but I did read 24 over 24 days, many authored by members or past presenters. I encountered diverse styles and topics: from pantoums to prose poems; from factory life to mythology; from the state of our lives and our planet to life beyond Earth.

Beyond enjoying this poetic tapestry and digesting innumerable poetic techniques, I am surer than ever that poetry exists everywhere, all the time, if we open our eyes to it. I recall an anecdote where an audience member reacted to one of William Stafford’s poems during a reading, calling out, “I could have written that.” Wallace’s response? “But you didn’t,” adding “But you could write your own.” This month I invite you to write your own.

What’s Happening

On the society front, I have much to share:

Contests

• September members-only contest from corporate sponsor Fertility Pharmacy of America is open through September 15, offering nice monetary prizes and unique publishing opportunities. Get details.
• Look for announcements on student and collegiate contests soon.
• Sponsor a contest for our 69th Annual Poetry Festival. The call ends September 4. Get details.

Membership

• We are moving to rolling membership renewal (based on the date you joined/renewed). Here’s how the transition will work. If you paid for the 2025-2026 membership year on or before May 1, 2025, your expiration date will be April 30, 2026. If you paid after that time, your expiration date will be one year from date we receive(d) your payment (e.g., June 10, 2025, will expire June 9, 2026). Look for a communication about the transition and your personal expiration date over the next month.
• Since 2018, regular membership dues has been $25. To better support the society’s programming and operations and to enhance financial stability, we are increasing our membership fee to $35 effective October 15, 2025. (Student fees will remain $10.) If you have not yet renewed (or joined), we offer a brief period to enjoy the lower rate before new the new rate takes effect. JOIN OR RENEW.

…. AND a FEW MORE ITEMS

• SAVE THE DATE! Our 69th Annual Poetry Festival will be held virtually on April 18, 2026. We are exploring how to implement companion regional in-person activities. If you are interested in helping with the 69th and/or 70th festival, planning is underway for both. Reach out to poetrytennessee@gmail.com.
• Earlier this month, Heather Dobbins led us on a writing adventure centered on persona poetry, and so many of you had nice things to say about this experience. On September 13, Thomas Alan Holmes will join us to discuss the challenges of navigating autobiographical elements in poetry, and how using the Lyric “I” can help us write truth without letting facts get in the way.
• Tennessee Voices Anthology, 2024-2025 is on track for publication in late summer.
• On behalf of the entire Board, a big THANK YOU to our member survey respondents. We appreciate your thoughtful comments and look forward to exploring opportunities to stay the course on what’s working and shift where changes may be needed.
• Check out more poetry calls, events, and other opportunities here.

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.

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.

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