Maine Poetry.com
A New Site for Maine Poets
Brought to you by Steven Robert Heine.
Maine Poetry and Writing Groups.
Please support this site by donating and /or purchasing some of the merchandise from the links below. This site is presented by Steven Robert Heine. Heine is a disabled poet in his 70's. He was crippled in a fall several years ago and suffered a stroke in 2023. Your support will help cover costs of this site and provide more frequent updates.
Julia Bouwsma is the author of two poetry collections: Midden (Fordham University Press, 2018) and Work by Bloodlight (Cider Press Review, 2017), both of which received the Maine Literary Award for Poetry Book.Bouwsma’s other honors include the Poets Out Loud Prize (2016–17), the Cider Press Review Book Award in 2015, and residency fellowships from the Virginia Center for Creative Arts, Vermont Studio Center, Monson Arts, and Annex Arts.Bouwsma currently serves as the library director for Webster Library in Kingfield, Maine. She is also serving as Maine’s sixth poet laureate through 2026.
The Maine Arts Commission fosters and encourages public interest and participation in the cultural heritage and artistic expression in our state. We pursue our mission through partnerships and collaborations, initiatives, advocacy, and grants for organizations, individual artists, communities, and schools throughout Maine.
The Poetry Society of Maine An organization of Maine writers actively engaged in creating poetry, who wish to:
broaden their knowledge of poetry
increase their skills.
share their knowledge to help other writers develop and achieve
encourage high standards in writing and judging poetry
broaden fellow members' interest, understanding, and appreciation of our rich poetic heritage.
BANGOR, MAINE - Ten talented high school students from across Maine gathered at the Bangor Arts Exchange on March 11 to showcase their exceptional poetic prowess at the 2024 Maine Poetry Out Loud Championships. The evening was a celebration of words, artistry, and the boundless creativity of Maine's youth.The Maine Poetry Out Loud recitation competition begins at the school level, where students compete in classwide and schoolwide competitions. This year, a total of 35 schools registered to participate in the Maine POL program. Individual student winners, representing their respective schools, progress to the regional finals. From each of the southern and northern regional finals, ten state finalists are selected.For the state and national finals, participating students are required to have three poems prepared. One of these poems must consist of 25 lines or fewer, while another must have been written before the 20th century.
Poetry Out Loud is a wonderful program for students. The program helps the develop Stage and speaking skills, confidence and a love of poetry. Poetry really needs to be spoken to truly be enjoyed. Poetry Out Loud is a great program for students. To learn how to get your school involved in the competition, please see the link above.&&&&&&&&&&
What follows are links to purchase tee shirts and merchandise, many designed by Steven Robert Heine. Proceeds will be used to support this site.
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Poetry Slams are events in which adults and students read and perform poetry for awards and prizes. There are many local events and even a National competition. Check with your local poetry group for the nearest Slam event and Slam schedules.
The Maine Writers and Publishers AllianceThe Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance and Mechanics’ Hall in Portland are happy to announce that MWPA has moved its offices into the historic Mechanics’ Hall building at 519 Congress.MWPA, a statewide literary organization that will celebrate its 50th Anniversary next summer, will bring many of its Portland-based workshops, conferences, and events into Mechanics’ Hall, which was built between 1857 and 1859. MWPA will continue to host events and programs around the state and support its more than 1,600 members in all sixteen Maine counties and beyond.“We are excited to join the hive of arts and humanities activity that’s happening inside Mechanics’ Hall, not to mention being closer to all of the wonderful cultural programs and resources in and around Portland’s Arts District,” says Gibson Fay-LeBlanc, executive director of MWPA. “Mechanics’ Hall will become our landlord and remains one of our essential community partners.”
The Maine Writers Studio Upcoming WorkshopsOffered December 2024The Places We Belong
(or not)We Will Consider PLACES: How They Shape Us, Why They Call Us Back, and How We Can Put Them to Use in Our CraftWe often hear that place shapes character, in writing as well as in life. In this workshop we will discuss and explore the importance of place not just in our writing—and how it can and should enhance our stories—but also how the places that have shaped us, or continue to shape us today, inspire and feed our writerly obsessions. We will consider and work on how each of us can use the places that have been important to us as springboards or frames for the story we want to write, be it fiction or nonfiction.We will read a couple of short essays/stories/poems where place is a central narrative tool, and I will guide you in both a free association writing exercise as well as give prompts to get you started on a few flash or micro pieces that you may develop into something more polished or longer on your own. We will share, respond to each other’s writing, and talk about how we can become more aware of “place” as we move on in the world.
This is a workshop suitable for all levels of writers, the only requirement is that you come with something to write on and with, and that you bring an open mind and a desire to be inspired.
Schedules and more information can be found on the link above.
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What follows are links to purchase tee shirts and merchandise, many designed by Steven Robert Heine. Proceeds will be used to support this site.
About the author: Steven Robert Heine is an American poet and author. He has spent much of his life supporting poetry projects and events. He is the author of 8 volumes of poetry. In 2011 he was seriously injured in a fall that left him in great pain and almost unable to walk. He suffered a stroke in 2023. Heine receives no disability and relies on a small pension and retirement income. He is no longer able to make public appearances.
We hope you will consider purchasing some of the merchandise in the links below. Many are original tee-shirts and merchandise created by Steven Robert Heine.
Thank you!
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Steven Robert Heine is a West Coast poet & author. He has traveled extensively through the United States, including trips to Indiana. Heine has spent his life promoting poetry; serving as founder for many poetry contests. He is the author of fifteen books, including poetry, history and his own short auto-biographies. His books can be found on Ebay, Amazon and Amazon Kindle.
Heine was crippled in a fall in 2011 and now makes very few public appearances.