Alaska Poetry.com

A New Site for AlaskaPoets

Alaska Poetry and Writing Groups.

UPDATE: Steven Robert Heine was severely crippled in a fall at his home in November 2024. He spent many weeks in the hospital and can no longer walk or even stand up. Your contribution will help pay for nursing care and his rehabilitation.

UPDATE A new project has been launched to put most of the poetry of Steven Robert Heine online. Your contribution will help pay for the cost of this exciting project.

• 1 ) Alaska Poet Laureate Link.

The Alaska Poet Laureate position was created in 1963. The position is chosen by the Alaska State Council of the Arts.The current Alaska Poet Laureate is Frank Soos.
(See link below for more details about him).Former Alaska Poet Laureates:Margaret Mielke (1963-1965)
Oliver Everette (1965-1967)
John Haines (appointed 1969)
Ruben Gaines (appointed 1973)
Sheila Nickerson (appointed 1977)
Richard Dauenhauer (appointed 1981)
Joanne Townsend (appointed 1988)
Tom Sexton (appointed 1995)
Richard Nelson (appointed 2000)
Anne Hanley (2002-2004)
Jerah Chadwick (October 2004-September 2006)
John Straley (October 2006-September 2008)
Nancy Lord (October 1, 2008-September 2010)
Peggy Shumaker (October 1, 2010-September 2012)
Nora Marks Dauenhauer (October 10, 2012-October 2014)
Kim Barnes (April 2004-2006)
Anthony "Tony" Doerr (July 2007-July 2010)
Brady Udall (July 1, 2010-June 20, 2013)

• 2) Alaska Writers Directory.

More information about about Alaska Poet Laureate Frank Soos can be found on The Alaska Writers Directory. This site also has information on many other Alaskan writers.

• 3) SLED. Statewide Doorway, Electronic Doorway.

This government site, known as SLED is a great resource for ALL Alaskan writers. Included in the site is a very complete ‘digital archives’.

• 4) Statewide Poetry Contest.

**The Fairbanks Arts Association **presents an annual Statewide Poetry Contest in April. The contest is open to both adults and students. For information on this very exciting project, please see the link above.

• 5) The Alaska State Council on the Arts.

The Alaska State Council on the Arts provides grants to Alaska writers and Writing Groups. Details about their grants and application information can be found on the Alaska State Council on the Arts ASCA website.

• 6) The Alaska Writers Guild.

The Alaska Writers Guild is open to all writers across Alaska, with regular meetings available in these three regions - Anchorage, Mat-Su, and Interior. The Alaska Writers Guild provides support for Alaskan writers through conferences, contests, keynote speakers and agent and publishing representatives. Currently the AWG has a 2020 conference scheduled for Friday, September 25th and Saturday September 26th. Please see the link above for conference updates.

• 7) The Alaska Center for the Book.

The Alaska Center for the Book is best described in their own mission statement: “The purpose of the Alaska Center for the Book is to stimulate public interest in literacy through the spoken and written word, central to our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. The Alaska Center for the Book will act as a catalyst to bring together Alaskan readers, writers, booksellers, librarians, publishers, printers, educators, parents, scholars, radio and television broadcasters, public and private sector leaders, among others, to promote and build an informed and literate citizenry vital to a strong democracy. The Center for the Book will serve as a partner and supporter of programs, events and unique projects which celebrate the richness and diversity of language.”Among the many projects of the Alaska Center for the Book, is an exciting project to place poems by Alaska poets in State parks throughout the State. See link above for details.

• 8) Alaska Folk Music.

The Alaska Folk Music and More organization puts on yearly Festivals throughout the State. For those who love folk music (as much as this writer) this is an exciting project. There is nothing quite like enjoying original live music. Check the site above for the calendar of events.

• 9) LitSite.

LitSite is a production of The University of Alaska in Anchorage. It is dedicated to preserving history, folk history and family histories from all over Alaska. The site provides a digital archives as well as resources for writers and teachers. You can read the rave reviews that readers give the site by clicking on the link.

What follows are links to purchase tee shirts and merchandise, many designed by Steven Robert Heine. Proceeds will be used to support this site,

• Tic-tac-toe for Beginners tee shirt. Click this link to purchase.

• Your Birthday suit needs ironing tee shirt link.

• Make America grape again tee-shirt link. Click here to purchase.

• If you have coffee, we can be friends merchandise link.

• You're the cherry on the cake of my life merchandise link.

• A good cat is hard to find merchandise link.

• When I see an ocean wave, I always wave back merchandise line.

• John 3:16 merchandise link.

• Read the Bible every day merchandise link.

• The answer is ice cream merchandise link.

• Henry Ford quote merchandise. Click here to purchase.

• I love poetry merchandise link. Click here to purchase.

• Pickleball N E One merchanise link.

• Email