Cati Porter

Dear Friends:

As a writer and as an editor I know the importance of recognizing true talent and dedication to the literary arts.

A few years ago an anthology of works produced in and about the Inland Southern California region was published by Heyday Books. It was called Inlandia. Out of that anthology has grown a new literary institute whose mission is to foster the literary arts in Inland Southern California.

Last month I had the pleasure of teaming up with the Inlandia Institute to host Poemeleon’s 4th Annual Reading, during which the launch of a new program was announced: The Inlandia Literary Laureate Award.

The nominations deadline for the Literary Laureate Award is looming — December 14th. As a member of the Literary Laureate Committee I would very much like to see as many nominations come in as possible. In addition to the distinction of being the first Inlandia Literary Laureate, there is also a $5000 honorarium. So please — if there is someone you would like to see this award go to, by all means, fill out the application!

Cati Porter
Editor, Poemeleon: A Journal of Poetry and Inlandia Advisory Council and Literary Laureate Committee Member

(Details about the Literary Laureate Award below. Click the link to the Inlandia website to fill out the application, and please feel free to forward!)

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The Inlandia Literary Laureate
http://inlandiainstitute.org/laureate.php

The Inlandia Literary Laureate program celebrates the region’s most accomplished literary artists and encourages public awareness of inland southern California’s literary arts in all their forms. Thank you for being part of this inclusive endeavor by nominating your favorite Inlandia writer.

Nomination Process

Every two years the Inlandia Institute’s Board of Directors appoints the Literary Laureate Committee from the Inlandia Advisory Council and others recommended by the Council.

The Literary Laureate Committee is responsible for:

* Nominating and/or soliciting nominations
* Nominations can be made by anyone: self nomination are acceptable
* Vetting nominees
o Review and evaluate applications
o Select semi-finalist
o Interview semi-finalist
* Making recommendations to the Advisory Council
* Establishing a quiet period during which Advisory Council members can make comments to the Literary Laureate Committee as part of the vetting process
* Making final recommendation to the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors makes the appointment

Nomination Deadline

Complete applications must be received by December 15th.

Samples can not be returned and become the property of the Inlandia Institute

Criteria for Inlandia Literary Laureate

Does the nominee

* Live or work in the Inland Empire
* Write in the regional voice of Inlandia that conveys a sense of the area and/or its people
* Have a willingness to work in public and community programs or service
* Inspire and mentor other creative writers
* Have an accessible body of critically acclaimed or significant work, and
* Has been published in the last 10 years?
* Is the nominee willing to accept the responsibilities of the position of Inlandia Literary Laureate

Literary Laureate Responsibilities

Inlandia Literary Laureate Responsibilities Include the following. Please make certain that your nominee is willing and able to fulfill these responsibilities.

Accept a two year appointment during which the designee will complete a number of engagements for the purpose of

* Promoting the reading of literature to children and the general public
* Encourage and promote creative writing
* Help foster and promote projects that engage the creative spirit

Agree to

* A video interview for podcasting and the Inlandia website
* Creating articles, musings and/or blogs for the Inlandia website
o Recommendations of other authors
o Personal advice on the writing process

Literary Laureate Recognition

The Inlandia Literary Laureate will be recognized in the following ways

* Recognition at a major event
* Honorarium (award) to be raised privately — $5,000III