West Virginia Poetry.com

A New Site for West Virginia Poets

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.

West Virginia Poetry and Writing Groups.

• 1 ) West Virginia State Poet Laureate.

The current West Virginia State Poet Laureate is:
Marc Harshman. Harshman is the 7th Poet Laureate of West Virginia appointed by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin in 2012 in recognition of his work for both poetry and children’s literature. He holds degrees from Bethany College, Yale University Divinity School, and the University of Pittsburgh. He has also recently received honorary doctorates from Bethany College and West Liberty University in recognition of his life’s work. For more information on him, please see the link above.
Previous West Virginia State Poet Laureates include:
Karl Myers (1927-1937)
Roy Lee Harmon (March 12, 1937-1943)
James Lowell McPherson (1943-1946)
Roy Lee Harmon (October 11, 1946-1960)
Vera Andrews Harvey (1960-1961)
Roy Lee Harmon (March 7, 1961-1979)
Louise McNeill (Pease) (1979-1993)
Irene McKinney (1994-February 4, 2012)

• 2) The West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History.

From the Departments’ website, ‘we are proud to work with artists, arts organizations, schools and community groups across the Mountain State to help provide a thriving environment for creative expression and appreciation for the arts. Through grants and technical services funded by the West Virginia Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts, we collaborate with artists, schools and nonprofit organizations to help provide cultural activities that improve the quality of life in West Virginia, help provide a complete education to our children and boost economic development in communities throughout the state.
Whether you’re interested in applying for a grant, bringing new cultural experiences to your community or needing advice for expanding currents services, the Arts staff is here to answer your questions and assist you in taking advantage of these services. '

• 3) The West Virginia Poetry Society.

The West Virginia Poetry Society welcomes all West Virginia poets. Annual membership is $35.00. The Society hosts several poetry contests a year for students and adults. It also publishes an annual journal. For information on meetings, please see the link above.

• 4) West Virginia Poetry Out Loud.

For the past several years, thousands of West Virginia high school students have participated in the Poetry Out Loud State recitation competitions, sponsored by the West Virginia Commission of Arts, Culture and History and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Your high school is invited to participate!
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.

• 5) The West Virginia Poetry Slam.

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 above link is for The Morgantown poetry slam, one of many in the State. I think you will find it very interesting.

• 6) The West Virginia Writers.

The West Virginia Writers provides support to West Virginia writers working in all genres of writing. They do this with conferences (when possible), critique groups and writing contests. Membership is $25.00 per year. Please see link above for more information and a chapter in your town.

• Virginia Poetry.com link.

• New York Poetry.com

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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!Heine tries to provide this site as a service to the poets of West Virginia.

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Steven Robert Heine is a West Coast poet & author. He has traveled extensively through the United States. He spent a year living in Virginia, in Falls Church. During that time, Heine traveled to many a number of times to West Virginia. 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.

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