Bloglander

Are you a poet who knows it? Then you might want to apply to be Spokane's second-ever Poet Laureate. 

Are you not a poet and you know it, but you know some amazing writers? Then be sure to let them know. 

The Spokane Arts Commission opened up the nominations process this week for the Spokane Poet Laureate position that will work with the group in "promoting and supporting an appreciation of literary arts throughout the greater Spokane community," according to the commission's call for nominees. 

Thom Caraway is the first Spokane Poet Laureate, and the Whitworth University lecturer's two-year term began in 2013 and will come to an end in October. He told the Inlander at the time that his goal was to champion the Lilac City's burgeoning poetry scene, and judging by the various active spoken-word and poetry-slam events regularly happening around town, he's had some success. Poetry is certainly a vibrant part of this literary hotbed we have here in the Inland Northwest. 

"For the poets in the area, the goal is to highlight and showcase them in a way that raises the public's awareness of what's going on around them," Caraway told the Inlander at the beginning of his term. 

The requirements for the job aren't huge hurdles — other than having a masterful way with words. You must be a resident of the greater Spokane community. You must be an established poet. And you have to send a resume and four-to-six poems not exceeding 10 pages in total to the Spokane Arts Commission to be considered.

The gig comes with a $2,000 stipend, and some expectations, like making three public presentations each year, presenting original works at those events, serving as an advisor to the commission and providing reading recommendations that will be promoted by the Spokane Arts Commission. 

Nominations will be accepted through September 11, and you can submit applications and learn all the pertinent details right here.