National Federation of State Poetry Societies

The National Federation of State Poetry Societies, Inc. (NFSPS) is a national organization of state poetry societies in the United States. It was established in 1959 and now includes affiliates in 32 U.S. states. The federation hosts conferences and maintains awards and educational programs related to poetry.

National Federation of State Poetry Societies
Established1959
TypePoetry organization
Websitewww.nfsps.com

History

The National Federation of State Poetry Societies was established in Baton Rouge on October 17, 1959, by Mary B. Wall. The first conference was held in conjunction with the Louisiana State Poetry Society where national officers were elected. A constitution was adopted in Philadelphia in 1960, and the organization was incorporated in Madison, Wisconsin, in July of 1966. The federation included 10 state affiliates at that time. By 2020 that number had grown to 32.[1]

Activities
Encore Prize Poems 2019, July 6, 2019

The NFSPS normally sponsors fifty annual poetry contests offering cash prizes, including a grand prize of $1,000. It also sponsors the Stevens Manuscript contest for a collection of poems by one poet, the BlackBerry Peach Poetry Awards, and the College Undergraduate Poetry competition. All members of the national organization are members of an NFSPS-affiliated state organization. The Federation encourages and supports the institution of Poets Laureate in the various cities and states.[2]

The federation publishes the Strophes official newsletter quarterly, which provides both national and state society news. The newsletter also announces contests and awards and lists current state presidents and board members. NFSPS conducts an annual national convention to handle business and offer poetry workshops and presentations.[3] The Federation Library Collection is housed at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and includes the Encore poetry anthologies published annually by NFSPS.[4]

Affiliates

References
  1. "History". Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  2. "U.S. State Poets Laureate". Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  3. "Florida's Poetry Resemblances to Oregon's". Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  4. "National Federation of State Poetry Societies". Retrieved 24 October 2020.
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