User:JNFoster

General:

The Michigan Poet, an unofficial nonprofit, started producing broadside posters featuring poems from prominent Michigan-based contemporary poets in February 2010. The project, initially inspired by Phillip Sterling's "Lunchtime Poetry Series," is also related to publications like "The Alternative Press," "Broadsided" and "IsReads." However, The Michigan Poet differs from those avant-garde/guerrilla style projects in that The Michigan Poet focuses on location and community as essential factors in garnering interest in poetry, where-as the aforementioned publications rely on other aspects such as images, surprise, availability, and universal interests.

General | Non-Profit Status | Volunteers | Publishing | Distribution |

Non-Profit Status

The Michigan Poet is an unofficial non-profit. The Michigan Poet has not applied for federally official non-profit status, but offers the public media promoting interest in locally produced poetry for free. Instead of relying on wealthy patrons, The Michigan Poet seeks ways of cheaply producing high-quality media in whatever ways legally possible. The Michigan Poet also utilizes a web-based store to supplement funding for its publications.

Publishing:

Starting in February 2010, The Michigan Poet began printing one broadside a month, each featuring work from a major Michigan based poet. In June, 2010, The Michigan Poet printed the first of it's booklet series featuring three poems by Ken Mikolowski, co-founder and editor of The Alternative Press. In August, 2010, The Michigan Poet launched its first contest.

Volunteers:

The Michigan Poet is entirely operated by volunteers, a variety of literary and graphic design professionals. No one working for The Michigan Poet is paid for their contributions.

Distribution:

At onset, The Michigan Poet began distribution in Big Rapids, MI to locally run businesses, schools, parks and public areas. In June, 2010, The Michigan Poet reached Grand Rapids, Michigan. In July, 2010, The Michigan Poet began distribution in Holland, Michigan. In September, The Michigan Poet appeared in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.