The Lake County Library System is inviting the public to nominate Lake County poets to be considered for the newest Lake County Poet Laureate.
This appointed volunteer, who will succeed Laura Sobbott Ross in the role, will serve a two-year term with responsibilities that include hosting poetry readings for children, teens, and adults, directing poetry workshops, and writing at least one poem about Lake County.
To be considered, nominees must complete a background check and be at least 18 years old, a published poet through any medium, and a resident of Lake County with a valid Lake County library card.
Nominations will be accepted through Saturday, April 30. Nomination forms are available online by visiting https://mylakelibrary.org/poet_laureate and at all Lake County Library System locations.
Laura Sobbott Ross is a widely published, award-winning poet whose work has appeared in more than 100 literary journals. In addition to four Pushcart Prize nominations, she was a finalist for the Art & Letters Poetry Prize and won the Southern Humanities Auburn Witness Poetry Prize. She has published several books, including “A Tiny Hunger,” “My Mississippi,” and “The Graffiti of Pompeii.” Upon her poet laureate nomination, Laura wrote a piece titled, “The Writing Lesson.” The poem reflects her strong affinity for the Lake County community.
Sobbott Ross is also a state-certified English teacher and trained writing coach. Much of her career was spent teaching children in the Lake County Schools system and teaching English to ESOL adults and GED prep at Lake Technical College. She has experience working with students ages 5 to 91.
Terms and conditions for the Poet Laureate position can be downloaded here. For more information, contact Scott N. Amey at SAmey@mylakelibrary.org or 352-383-9980.
