Spring Series of Readings for 2026
The Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series is pleased to announce the spring series of readings across North Carolina, showcasing the fine work of our Distinguished Poets and the emerging poets they have been mentoring.
The Western region reading will took place on Monday, April 6 at 12 p.m. in the UC Theatre of Western Carolina University as part of WCU’s annual Spring Literary Festival, featuring Distinguished Poet Lee Stockdale.
The Central region reading took place on Saturday, April 18 3:30 – 5 p.m. at Chapel Hill Public Library in Meeting Room B, featuring Regional Coordinator Daun Daemon and Distinguished Poet Joe Mills.
Kendal Dixon, Zoë Eaton, Andreevich Tew, Mindy Stahl and Distinguished Poet Joe Mills
The Eastern Region reading will be on Thursday April 23 at 5 p.m. at the Faulkner Gallery in the Joyner Library at ECU, featuring Regional Coordinator Kelly Jones and Distinguished Poet Gideon Young.
We encourage all poets and poetry lovers to attend these events and support the new lyric talent emerging in our midst. All events are free and open to the public.
New Gilbert-Chappell Mentees for 2026!
The Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series is delighted to announce the following emerging poet mentees for 2026: In the Eastern Region, Edward Palmer, Cynthia Ward, Kimberly Pelagio-Luis, Sneha Pannala; in the Central Region, Kendal Dixon, Zoë Eaton, Andreevich Tew, Mindy Stahl; and in the Western Region, Mary Beth Stevens, Patricia Darcy, Charlotte Isenberg, Jackie Knowlton. Congratulations to these emerging poets, and good luck working with the Distinguished Poets in 2026.
2025 Gilbert-Chappell Anthology Available
The 2025 issue of Witness: From Appalachia to Hatteras, the yearly anthology published by the Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Series, is now available. Special thanks to Regional Coordinator Kelly Jones for his wonderful work editing this volume, which includes poems by our three Distinguished Poets and their mentees from across the state. To purchase a copy, click here.
Gilbert-Chappell Readings in Spring 2024
The annual spring readings for Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series have been scheduled across the state during April, National Poetry Month. On Monday, April 1, at noon, the reading in the western region was held in the Student Union Auditorium at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee (see attached photo).
On Saturday, May 18, at 5 p.m., the reading in the central region took place at Fly Leaf Books in Chapel Hill (see attached photo).
And on Saturday, June 1, at 4 p.m., the GCDPS reading for the eastern region took place at renowned Fountain General Store in Fountain. Everyone is welcome to attend these free events. We encourage you to support the next generation of North Carolina poets!
2024 Gilbert-Chappell Anthology Available
The 2024 Gilbert-Chappell Anthology, Witness: From Appalachia to Hatteras, is now available. Special thanks to Eastern Regional Coordinator Kelly Jones for his superb work editing the anthology. To order a copy, click here.
About the Series
This mentoring program links established poets in three regions of North Carolina with emerging poets, enabling them to develop and perfect their lyric craft. Students in middle school, high school, and college, and adults not in school may apply to work with a Distinguished Poet during the winter months. Our Distinguished Poets this year are: Gideon Young in the eastern region, Joe Mills in the central region, and Lee Stockdale in the western region. In spring 2026, the resulting poems will be presented at group and individual readings at venues across the state. An anthology of these poems entitled Witness: Appalachia to Hatteras will be published by Saint Andrews University Press in late 2026. To read the brochure or apply for the program, click on the links below.
The Gilbert-Chappell Series Leadership
Our Regional Coordinators for 2025-26 are: Kelly Jones in the East, Daun Daemon in the Center, and Caleb Beissert in the West. Thanks to these talented poet-leaders as we enter the new cycle of mentoring this coming winter and spring. Michael Hettich is the new statewide Administrator of the Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series.