POETRY ALERT! (Mark Your Calendar…)

Hello, Everyone—

I have some exciting news. A book I’ve been working on, called Begin Where You Are: The Colorado Poets Laureate Anthology, will be released in late November 2025.

For the past two years, I’ve served on the editorial committee for this book alongside other Colorado Poets Laureate. Together, we’ve gathered poems by all ten Colorado poets who’ve held the Laureate position, including a selection of new poems by our late friend and colleague, Andrea Gibson. The book also comes with an insightful introduction by the inimitable Khadijah Queen.

Here is the pre-order link for the book: https://upcolorado.com/center-for-literary-publishing/item/6800-begin-where-you-are
I am also sharing a special 20% discount code for you to use on the website above: COPOETS25

Finally, I’d like to personally invite you to the Denver book launch party for Begin Where You Are! Details can be found by clicking here or in the information below:

BEGIN WHERE YOU ARE: DENVER BOOK LAUNCH PARTY

Friday, December 5, 2025 | 6pm-8pm | Petals & Pages Bookstore | 956 Santa Fe Dr, Denver, CO 80204

The event is free and includes the book signing, poetry readings, and light refreshments.

Again, this event is free to attend! RSVP here

As a collective, we have designated book proceeds (as well as donations) to go towards an endowment fund aimed at enhancing equitable access to poetry across the entire state. Our newly-established nonprofit, Colorado Poets Laureate Anthology, will manage the endowment fund going forward.

Feel free to make your donation here. Your support will help us enhance the awareness and appreciation of poetry among readers today and in the future.

Our specific goals are to:

• Enhance and create sustainability for the Poet Laureate program
• Fund poetry events and programs in rural areas of Colorado
• Get poetry events and programs to lower-income schools and libraries that have historically had difficulty accessing them
• Create a collaborative model that other states can emulate

If you are interested in sharing this message with your networks, please do! I’d greatly appreciate your help in spreading the word.

Thank you for your support!

Joe H