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The Poet Laureate of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan is an honorary position created in 2013. The Poet Laureate of the U.P. is chosen for his/her talent and dedication to literature in the U.P. During the Laureate's two-year tenure he/she promotes the appreciation of poetry and the region across Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas.

Selection Process Over a hundred libraries, bookstores and authors within the U.P.,nominate individuals for the position. The top nominees, present their poetry at a public forum after which the public casts their votes for the Poet Laureate.

History Marquette resident Rob Riekki was inspired to create the position after Donald Hall, the former U.S. poet laureate visited the U.P. during a writers’ conference. Riekki also wanted to establish a Michigan poet laureate, but state officials objected.

List of the Poet Laureates of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan