Teen Writing Opportunity: Oklahoma Youth Poet Laureate

I’m excited to be serving as a judge for the Oklahoma Literary Arts Alliance’s new program: the selection of an Oklahoma State Youth Poet Laureate! This is a brand new program, and it looks like it will be a really exciting one.

Here’s some info from the OLAA website:

During the months of August, September and October of 2014, OLAA will accept submissions from young poets, rappers, leaders and activists ages 14-19 from across Oklahoma who are interested in representing Oklahoma as the inaugural OK State Youth Poet Laureate. A group of esteemed judges will choose 12 Finalists, all given the distinction of “Oklahoma Youth Poet Ambassador,” and we will select one teen to be honored with the title of “OK State Youth Poet Laureate.” Along with winning the prestigious title of “Oklahoma State Youth Poet Laureate,” the winning poet will also win a book deal from Penmanship Books to publish their first collection of poems, as well as a library tour.

They’re accepting a wide variety of work—from written to performance poetry. The deadline is October 20th. For the complete rules and application process, visit the Oklahoma Literary Arts Alliance’s website.

I wish Oklahoma had had something like this when I was a teen. (Though, honestly, poetry has never been my strongest genre. But still, I would have applied!) If you’re a teen writer in Oklahoma, it’s definitely worth checking out.