We’re readers and
writers who love poetry and Pine Tree Poetry, is our way of giving
something worthwhile and fun to the children and young adults who
may need a bit of encouragement to write poetry. Also within our
circle are parents, grandparents and a few former teachers who want
to support teachers and librarians with a student writing opportunity
with substance.
Through Pine Tree Poetry, great things can happen for student poets
and their schools.
1.
We receive, read
and evaluate poems written by poets between the ages of 5 –
18, picking the best ones for annual publication in The
Pine Tree Poetry Collection.
2.
We honor the twenty-five schools that have the highest number of poems submitted with a $300 check that may be used for school library materials. Fifty additional schools are selected at random to be awarded $50 checks.
3.
We give a free copy of The Pine Tree
Poetry Collection to the library of every school that submits poetry.
Although all children and young adults have gifts, we will pick only the best poems we receive for publication. We believe that part of the students’ education is learning that there can be as much joy in creating as there is in recognition. So this is not a vanity press that publishes all poets.
Choosing the poets we publish Since the students who write the poems
cover a wide range of ages and grades, we include poems that represent
the full spectrum of ages. All poetry styles are welcomed. We read
everything we receive at least once and often they’re re-read
a few times. It’s not unusual to see a group of our editors
reading poems aloud and sharing a few giggles or wiping away a tear or
two.
Our Timeline
We receive poems throughout the
year, and choose from the ones we receive by mid-May, for each
year’s The Pine Tree Poetry Collection.
The parents or guardians of the best poets
receive a mailing asking for their permission to publish their
child’s work by late summer. Students are invited to buy
a book if their poem is chosen.
Permission slips MUST be returned
by the date specified on them. Poetry can not be published without
written permission.
Seventy-five winning libraries receive their share of $10,000 in awards in late October.
The Pine Tree Poetry Collection
is published and shipped each January. Participating school
libraries also receive their free copies in January.