A Little Peep from Me
Friends, this is an abridged version with some local listings. It’s also an update with information about our new Santa Cruz County Poet Laureate, Nancy Miller Gomez.
I am linking here to the press release issued by Santa Cruz County to announce Nancy’s official appointment. We are in wonderful hands.
You will also hear from Nancy soon using this (FBOV) mailing list—but via Nancy’s own new Substack for poetry news in the county. And you will receive For Better or Verse again—just not in Poet Laureate capacity.
Now…the news.
Celebrate Teen Poets (and Go Home Inspired)
You can now reserve your free ticket for the program celebrating the outgoing Youth Poet Laureate, Dina Lusztig Noyes, the Youth Poet Laureate Coalition of Finalists, and the full incoming cohort. On April 17th, there will be a lively program of poems from many of these poets, along with the naming of the next Santa Cruz County Youth Poet Laureate (2025-26).
I cannot explain to you how necessary all these voices feel, as I hear them read their poems, support other teen writers, and publish incredible work, too (more on a publication later this spring)! If you need some inspiration AND you want to demonstrate your commitment to this generation of poets—come out for this hour-long event.
7pm, Samper Recital Hall, Cabrillo College Aptos Campus. Free.
Upcoming Calendar (in Brief!)
Tuesday Feb 25, 7pm:
Tuesday Mar 4, 7pm:
Tuesday Mar 11, 7pm:
March 14, 7-9pm. Inside Out Loud by Poetry in the Jail participants past and present. With featured poet Justin D. Marc a former student, and special guests, including Nancy Miller Gomez, Santa Cruz County Poet Laureate. At Satori Arts, 815 Almar Ave, Unit 9, Santa Cruz.