Texas Poetry.com
A New Site for Texas Poets
Please support this site by donating and /or purchasing some of the merchandise from the links below. This site is presented by Steven Robert Heine. Heine is a disabled poet in his 70's. He was crippled in a fall several years ago and suffered a stroke in 2023. Your support will help cover costs of this site and provide more frequent updates.
Texas Poetry and Writing Groups.
Texas State Poet LaureateThe current Texas State Poet Laureate is
Emmy Perez.
Emmy Perez has received many past awards for her poetry and is a graduate of Columbia University (MFA) and the University of Southern California (BA). Her bio link is above.
According to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, "Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 82, 43rd Legislature, Regular Session (1933) authorized appointment of a committee by the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House to designate an outstanding and recognized poet, who is also a citizen of the state of Texas, as poet laureate." As established by SB 1043 of the 77th Legislature, the state poet laureate currently is selected for a one-year appointment by the Texas Poet Laureate, State Musician and State Artist Committee.
Previous Texas Poet Laureates.
1932-1934 - Judd Mortimer Lewis, Houston
1934-1936 - Aline T. Michaelis, Austin
1936-1939 - Grace Noll Crowell, Dallas
1939-1941 - Lexie Dean Robertson, Rising Star
1941-1943 - Nancy Richey Ranson, Dallas
1943-1945 - Dollilee Davis Smith, Cleburne
1945-1947 - David Riley Russell, Dallas
1947-1949 - Aline B. Carter, San Antonio
1949-1951 - Carlos Ashley, Llano
1951-1953 - Arthur M. Sampley, Denton
1953-1955 - Mildred Lindsey Raiborn, San Angelo.
1955-1957 - Pierre Bernard Hill, Hunt
1957-1959 - Margaret Royalty Edwards, Waco
1959-1961 - J. V. Chandler, Kingsville
1961 - Lorena Simon, Port Arthur
1962 - Marvin Davis Winsett, Dallas
1963 - Gwendolyn Bennett Pappas, Houston.
1964-1965 - Jenny Lind Porter, Austin.
1966 - Bessie Maas Rowe, Port Arthur.
1967 - William. E. Bard, Dallas.
1968 - Kathryn Henry Harris, Waco.
1969-1970 - Anne B. Marely, Austin.
1970-1971 - Robby K. Mitchell, McKinney.
1971-1972 - Terry Fontenot, Port Arthur.
1972-1973 - Mrs. Clark Gresham, Burkburnett.
1973-1974 - Violette Newton, Beaumont.
1974-1975 - Lila Todd O'Neil, Port Arthur.
1975-1976 - Ethel Osborn Hill, Port Arthur.
1976-1977 - Florice Stripling Jeffers, Burkburnett.
1977-1978 - Ruth Carruth, Vernon.
1978-1979 - Patsy Stodghill, Dallas.
1979-1980 - Dorothy B. Elfstroman, Galveston.
1980-1981 - Weems S. Dykes, McCamey.
1982-1983 - William D. Barney, Fort Worth.
1987-1988 - Ruth E. Reuther, Wichita Falls
1988-1989 - Vassar Miller, Houston
1993-1995 - Mildred Baass, Victoria
2000 - James Hoggard, Wichita Falls
2001 - Walter McDonald, Lubbock
2003 - Jack Myers, Mesquite
2004 - Cleatus Rattan, Cisco
2005 - Alan Birkelbach
2006 - Red Steagall
2007 - Steven Fromholz, Kopperl
2008 - Larry D. Thomas, Houston
2009 - Paul Ruffin, Huntsville
2010 - Karla K. Morton, Denton
2011 - David M. Parsons, Conroe
2012 - Jan Seale, McAllen
2013 - Rosemary Catacalos, San Antonio
2014 - Dean Young, Austin
2015 - Carmen Tafolla, San Antonio
2016 - Laurie Ann Guerrero, San Antonio
2017 - Jenny Browne, San Antonio
2018 - Carol Coffee Reposa, San Antonio
2019 - Carrie Fountain, Austin
2020 - Emmy Pérez, McAllen
** The Texas Commission on the Arts** provides resources, grants and programs for Texas writers and artists of all genres. Please see link above for program and grant information.
“For the past several years thousands of Texas high school students have participated in the Poetry Out Loud State recitation competitions, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and The Texas Commission on the Arts. They invite your high school to participate. “
Poetry Out Loud is a wonderful program for students. The program helps the develop Stage and speaking skills, confidence and a love of poetry. Poetry really needs to be spoken to truly be enjoyed. Please show your support for this important project in Texas.
If your high school is not yet involved, contact the Texas Commission on the Arts to learn how to get involved.
The Writers League of Texas was founded in 1981 as ‘The Austin Writers’ League'. In 2000 the name of the group was changed to: The Writers’ League of Texas. Today the group has more than 1,200 members statewide. The group provides conferences and resources for Texas writers of all genres. They also publish an online newsletter and (when possible) a summer retreat. Please see the link above for event and membership information.
** The Poetry Society of Texas** provides poetry contests and (when possible) conferences for Texas poets. The society has chapters in many Texas cities. Member dues are $25.00 per year. For information on events and membership information, please see the link above.
Gulf Coast Poets is a group of Texas poets from Webster Texas. Though ‘in person’ meetings have been cancelled until further notice, the group still provides a list of resources for local poets. Their site provides membership information. The group received their Charter from The Poetry Society of Texas on Nov. 11, 2006. Gulf Coast Poets provides poetry contests and resources for local poets. More information on the link above.
** The Poets of San Antonio** have more than 1,000 members. Their Facebook page features information about the group as well as contest and ‘Slam’ information.
The Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival. is normally a two day event, (held when possible) offering cash prizes. Please see link for updates and event details.
The Poets of the Northwest is a group from Northwest Houston. They received their charter from the Texas Poetry Society in 1987. The group provides resources and contests for Northwest Houston poets. They are currently meeting by Zoom. See site for information.
The Austin Poetry Society was formed in 1949. The APS provides a newsletter, poetry contests and events for Austin poets. Please see link above for details.
** The Denton Poets Assembly** was founded in 2005. The group provides poetry contests and resources for Denton area poets. The group meets monthly. Currently the group is meeting online via Zoom. There is no cost to join this wonderful group.
The Mockingbird Poetry Society is a group from McKinney. They provide poetry contests and resources for poets. Normally, local poets come to monthly meetings and read their poems. Until further notice, they are holding meetings online. See site for details.
The Rusk County Poetry Society is a group of poets from Henderson. Please see site for group information and schedules.
** The Fort Worth Poetry Society** is the oldest poetry Society in Texas. This incredible Society was founded in 1910, making it more than 100 years old! The Society hosts readings throughout the City and sponsors poetry contests. Information about the group and events can be found online.
Founded in 2004, The East Texas Writers Guild has provided resources and opportunities for writers of all genres. The group seeks to provide information to Texas writers on how to be published and works to promote local writers. See site for details.
About the author: Steven Robert Heine is a West Coast poet. He has spent his life writing poetry and promoting the reading of it. In 2011 Heine was seriously crippled in a fall. Several surgeries later, Heine lives with a great deal of pain. (He is not on any disability). He tries to provide this site as a service to the poets of Texas.
Steven Robert Heine
Steven Robert Heine is an American poet and author. He has spent much of his life supporting poetry projects and events. He is the author of 8 volumes of poetry. In 2011 he was seriously injured in a fall that left him in great pain and almost unable to walk. He suffered a stroke in 2023. Heine receives no disability and relies on a small pension and retirement income. He is no longer able to make public appearances.
We hope you will consider purchasing some of the merchandise in the links below. Many are original tee-shirts and merchandise created by Steven Robert Heine.
Thank you!
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Steven Robert Heine is a West Coast poet & author. He has traveled extensively through the United States including a number of trips to Texas. He has spent his life promoting poetry; serving as founder for many poetry contests. He is the author of fifteen books, including poetry, history and his own short auto-biographies. His books can be found on Ebay, Amazon and Amazon Kindle.
Heine was crippled in a fall in 2011 and now makes very few public appearances.Email to: Native Publishing at: [email protected]