Linda Parsons will be officially appointed as Knoxville's new Poet Laureate on July 1. Announced by Mayor Indya Kincannon, Parsons will be the fifth to embrace the laurel once worn by Joseph Woods, alias Black Atticus, as reported by KnoxvilleTN.gov. Woods, whose tenure since 2023 has seen him shower the city with words at events from the Mayor's second inauguration to a Fourth of July fanfare, now passes the torch on to Parsons, whose six collections of poetry and produced plays speak to her esteemed place in the literary fabric of Knoxville.
Parsons steps into the position bringing a body of work rich in contemplations on heritage, youth, and loss, her most recent publication “Valediction: Poems and Prose” dropped in 2023 carving out memories in verse that weave through the heart of East Tennessee, where she has been etched into history with an induction into the East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame.
Furthermore, Parsons disseminates her literary prowess through her roles as the poetry editor for Madville Publishing and the battle-ready copy editor for Chapter 16—the literary heartbeat of Humanities Tennessee. Engaging with the community, she serves a crucial role on the Board of Directors for the Knoxville Writers Guild where wordsmiths hone their craft, according to KnoxvilleTN.gov.
Since its launch in 2012, Knoxville’s Poet Laureate program has been shaped by voices like songwriter R.B. Morris, poet Marilyn Kallet, and slam artist Rhea Carmon, paving the way for Linda Parsons to now take the lead. A partnership with the Arts and Culture Alliance, the program offers laureates the title, a $3,000 annual honorarium, and a platform to inspire and engage the city's vibrant culture. For more info, visit KnoxvilleTN.gov/Poet.
