Congratulations to Amanda Gorman!
Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress, congratulates Amanda Gorman on her sensational poetry reading at the presidential inauguration and remembers a 2017 reading Gorman gave at the Library.
Amanda Gorman Selected as President-Elect Joe Biden’s Inaugural Poet
The Presidential Inaugural Committee for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris announced that National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman perform her poetry at the 59th Presidential Inaugural Swearing-In Ceremony, set to take place on Wednesday, January 20, on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol.
Opening Up the World of Poetry: A Farewell from Intern Maura Byrne
Maura Byrne, a 2020-2021 intern in the Poetry and Literature Center/Literary Initiatives office, reflects on her time at the Library of Congress.
“Of Headspace and Fire”: An Interview with Terrance Hayes
This interview with Terrance Hayes was conducted in 2013 by Rachel Carstens as part of the Poetry and Literature Center’s online Interview Series. The series featured emerging and established literary writers in dynamic and thought-provoking conversation. Though the series is no longer active, From the Catbird Seat is reprinting these interviews to bring them new light.
Watch Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden Read a Holiday Story for Children
Watch Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden read a holiday story for children as part of the Library’s virtual holiday celebration.
Editor Ken McCormick and Doubleday’s Women Writers
The following guest post was written by Barbara Bair, curator of Literature, Culture, and the Arts, in the Library’s Manuscript Division. It explores the professional relationship of feminist authors and their editors, including Margaret Atwood and her editor Nan A. Talese. On December 17, from 7-8 pm EST, Atwood and Talese will be participating in […]
Check Out Our New Bobbitt Winners!
We celebrate 2020 Rebekah Johnson Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry winners Terrance Hayes (for his 2018 poetry collection American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin) and Natasha Trethewey (for lifetime achievement), and invite you to watch their virtual event hosted by Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden.
Jason Reynolds: Grab the Mic December Newsletter
Jason Reynolds, the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, emphasizes the importance of rest in his December newsletter.
Literary Treasures: The Poetvision Video Series
A history of the Poetvision video series (1988-1990), which features poets–including many former U.S. Poets Laureate–reading and discussing their own work as well as the work of poets who influenced them. The post includes links to digitized videos in the series available through the Library.
Jason Reynolds: On the (Virtual) School Tour
Kids in 11 schools across the country will soon get a special treat: A visit from Jason Reynolds, the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature.