Islanders will have a say in selecting the first Martha’s Vineyard Poet Laureate.

Year-round poets must submit five poems of any genre, style or form. A jury of judges will read all submissions, and nominate five finalists. The winning five poets must be willing to participate in a public reading that will be videotaped and distributed on the Martha’s Vineyard Poetry Society’s Facebook page; MVTV; YouTube and through other Island media and agencies.

The winning poet laureate and runner-up must be willing, at their discretion, to make themselves available for public and private functions on and off-Island, and to promote poetry through Vineyard schools and libraries.

The winning poet laureate, the first in the Island’s history, and the runner-up will be celebrated at a public event. The term for the poet laureate will be two years.

All contest submissions must be submitted by Nov. 15. Please submit a cover letter containing your contact information. On separate paper(s) submit your five poems without any identifying marks to: William Waterway, Martha’s Vineyard Poets Society, 5 Pleasant avenue, Edgartown, MA 02539

If you have questions, please call Mr. Waterway at 508-627-4929 or e-mail [email protected].