Poetry Foundation Launches Free Poetry Syndicate for Newspapers

CHICAGO—The Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine, announces the launch of the Poetry Foundation Syndicate, a free weekly service for newspapers offering poetry book reviews, poetry columnists, and articles about poets and poetry, selected with the general reader in mind.

Poetry in America, a National Opinion Research Center study commissioned by the Foundation, revealed that the vast majority (90%) of American readers highly value poetry and believe it offers a deeper appreciation of the world around them, a better understanding of oneself and others, comfort in difficult times, and sheer enjoyment. In addition, an overall 64% of adult readers think that people should read more poetry.

This research, along with the continued success of Ted Kooser’s weekly poetry column “American Life in Poetry,”—published by the Poetry Foundation and now reaching more than 4 million readers a week in more than 70 newspapers—has prompted the Foundation to believe that editors and newspaper readers will welcome more extensive commentary about contemporary poetry.

With the purpose of making poetry more available to a broader audience, the Poetry Foundation Syndicate features engaging and informative writing about the art form by leading poets and writers. Upcoming selections for the syndicate include:

• Book reviews by poetry critic Peter Campion and prize-winning poet Sandra Gilbert
  
• Poetry columns and literary essays by writers Rachel Aviv, David Biespiel, Stephen Burt, and Nell Casey
  
• Profiles of poets from contemporary (Chris Abani) to traditional American (Walt Whitman)
  
• Interviews with poets such as Victor Hernández Cruz and Eleanor Wilner

Editors who would like to receive the syndicate’s free weekly releases should go to poetryfoundation.org/programs/media.html.

There are no costs for reprinting the syndicate features; the Foundation requires only that publications register for the service, and the text of the releases be reproduced without alteration. Registered publications will receive new releases by e-mail every Tuesday. The archive of previous releases will also be available for publication anytime.

About the Poetry Foundation
The Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine and one of the largest literary organizations in the world, exists to discover and celebrate the best poetry and to place it before the largest possible audience. The Poetry Foundation seeks to be a leader in shaping a receptive climate for poetry by developing new audiences, creating new avenues for delivery, and encouraging new kinds of poetry through innovative literary prizes and programs. For more information, please visit www.poetryfoundation.org.

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