News Summary
Knoxville has officially welcomed Linda Parsons as its new Poet Laureate, succeeding Joseph Woods. Parsons, a celebrated poet with multiple publications, aims to promote literary arts and engage the community through various initiatives, including the Knoxville Poetry Liberation Front. This event will feature performances by notable local poets to raise funds for the ACLU of Tennessee. Her appointment signifies a commitment to enhancing Knoxville’s literary landscape.
Knoxville Welcomes Linda Parsons as Its New Poet Laureate
Knoxville has appointed Linda Parsons as its new Poet Laureate, as announced at sunset on Market Square. This milestone event marks Parsons as the fifth individual to hold the honorary title, taking over from outgoing Poet Laureate Joseph Woods, also known as Black Atticus, who served from 2023 to 2025.
The role of Poet Laureate is significant for the city, as it honors exceptional local writers and supports Knoxville’s rich literary heritage. The program, facilitated by the Arts & Culture Alliance with assistance from the Mayor’s Office, empowers the Poet Laureate to be a public voice for the community, create literary works specific to Knoxville, and engage in outreach and educational initiatives.
Linda Parsons is an accomplished poet, having authored six collections of poetry and being inducted into the East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame. Her contributions extend beyond poetry; she has had five of her plays produced by Flying Anvil Theatre. In addition to her writing endeavors, she serves as the poetry editor for Madville Publishing and holds the position of copy editor for Chapter 16, the literary website of Humanities Tennessee. She is also a board member of the Knoxville Writers Guild.
Parsons’ latest publication is titled Valediction: Poems and Prose. She expressed her excitement about her new role and her passion for using words to connect and serve the community, highlighting the importance of literary art in everyday life.
The transition comes after a successful tenure by Black Atticus, known for his dynamic performances, including a highlight appearance at the 2025 State of the City Address. As part of her initiatives, Parsons is organizing the Knoxville Poetry Liberation Front, a poetry reading and fundraiser to benefit the ACLU of Tennessee. This event is scheduled for Sunday, June 22, from 4–6 p.m. at the River & Rail Theatre in the Old City Performing Arts Center. Tickets are priced at $15 at the door, with proceeds going directly to the ACLU.
The Knoxville Poetry Liberation Front aims to respond to contemporary social issues and will feature performances from all five former and current Poet Laureates, as well as other esteemed local poets, including Drew Drake, Brian Griffin, Jack Rentfro, Erin Elizabeth Smith, Susan O’Dell Underwood, Denton Loving, and Tom Weiss. Music for the event will be provided by Bob Deck. The event’s title is inspired by a poem from Wendell Berry, embodying a spirit of resistance and fostering human connection through poetry.
Prior poetry events in Knoxville, such as the Southern-Fried Regional Poetry Slam, have showcased the city’s vibrant literary community, attracting nearly 200 poets. Parsons aims to draw in a diverse audience that may not typically attend poetry readings, reflecting her dedication to inclusivity within the arts.
The poetry scene in Knoxville is rich and varied, featuring numerous activities such as open mic nights, workshops, and community engagements organized by different groups. The Knoxville Writers Guild, for instance, conducts monthly programs, while the Knoxville Poetry Slam takes place at Central Cinema on the second Tuesday of each month. This landscape indicates a solid and nurturing environment for both established and emerging poets within Knoxville.
Linda Parsons steps into her new role as Poet Laureate at a time when the literary community is thriving, and her upcoming initiatives are anticipated to further enrich Knoxville’s artistic fabric.
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Additional Resources
- Inside of Knoxville: Linda Parsons Named Poet Laureate
- Knox TN Today: Local Poets Plan Resistance Reading
- Knox News: Nikki Giovanni Day in Knoxville
- Wikipedia: Poet Laureate
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Poetry
