Alabama State Poetry Society

06/09/2026

ASPS members Sam Calhoun and Mike Turner have been awarded First Place in the Adult Poetry and Original Song categories, respectively, in the Expressions of Freedom Art Contest, sponsored by America 250 Alabama, the official State of Alabama celebration of the 250th anniversary of the USA’s Declaration of Independence.

Sam was recognized for his poem, “At the Soldier’s Grave”; while Mike was recognized for his song, “Voice of the People.”

Their works, along with those of runners-up and winners in Youth Poetry and Adult/Youth Painting, will be featured in the upcoming weekend celebration of the anniversary, July 3-4 at American Village in Montevallo, AL.

Here’s some press coverage from the Shelby County Reporter newspaper: https://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/news/america-250-alabama-announces-winners-of-expressions-of-freedom-contest-99627bad/?fbclid=IwZnRzaASU_bFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xNzM4NDc2NDI2NzAzNzAAAR7J0GixYM9WcFXIzxkdGodax67KFUJgBYiCSMEQap398-Xg4V4ZkkP1LwFakw_aem_SqnyvHcnCMDNxPJLxykETQ

Congratulations, Sam and Mike!

America 250 Alabama has announced the winners of its inaugural Expressions of Freedom Art Contest, a statewide competition that invited Alabamians to explore th...

06/04/2026

Congratulations to our 2025 Book of the Year, Petals of Paint and Poetry, by Sue Brannan Walker, Poet of the Year, Mike Wahl, and BlackBerry Peach National Poetry Slam rep, Jerri Hardesty!

05/31/2026

ASPS Spring 2026 winners' list...

05/23/2026

We're just one week away from our spring meeting! See details and register to attend in-person or online at alpoets.org.

04/28/2026

If you're attending our Spring Meeting, Awards & Workshops in person on May 30 and need a place to saty, we have a block of rooms reserved at the dicounted rate of $104/night for a single or double room for Friday and/or Saturday night at

Candlewood Suites Birmingham - Inverness
4686 Hwy 280 E, Birmingham, AL
(205) 995-9242

The hotel is a 15-minute drive from Mt. Laurel Public LIbrary and is convenient to 459.

Please see the below booking link:
https://www.ihg.com/redirect?path=asearch&brandCode=CW&localeCode=en®ionCode=1&hotelCode=BHMWD&checkInDate=29&checkInMonthYear=042026&checkOutDate=31&checkOutMonthYear=042026&rateCode=6CBARC&_PMID=99801505&GPC=ASP&cn=no&adjustMonth=false&showApp=true&monthIndex=00

*If you cannot click on the link, just right-click and copy/paste the link, choose your Arrival/Departure dates, and you should see Group Discounted Rates listed. Once desired dates are chosen, you can proceed with booking at the group discount.

Don't forget to register for the event at alpoets.org!

04/28/2026

ASPS online open mic tonight at 6:30! Message for the link!

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04/21/2026

Do you write poems? Do you perform them live? Do you want to have a room full of people cheer you on as you do? Do you want to be judged on a 1-10 scale by five random audience members?

YOU could represent ASPS at the BlackBerry Peach National Poetry Slam!

To enter, submit a video of your live reading/performance of an original poem (no more than 5 minutes) to [email protected] by May 1. Members will vote on our rep based on video submissions. You must be an ASPS member and/or a resident of Alabama and available to travel to the national event in Kansas July 23-36.

ASPS will provide the registration fee and a $500 travel stipend for the winner.