Bright Dawn Media

04/15/2025

We're excited about the poems we've received so far for Poetry in the Paper, and we have space for a few more. So we are extending the submission deadline through tonight (April 15)! Take a break from taxes and send us a poem! (Or send us a poem about taxes if you want!)

Submission details at the link below. Thanks so much to everyone who submitted already!

Also, don't forget the FREE poetry showcase tomorrow evening (Wed., April 16) at 6pm at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Poetry in the Paper 2025 Calling all residents of southwest Virginia: Have you written a poem that you want to share with the community?Here’s your chance! We’re putting Poetry in the Paper for National Poetry Month.Who: Poets of all ages residing in Smyth County and adjoin...

04/13/2025

We enjoyed a wonderful first creative writing workshop at The Art Place last night! Thank you to everyone who came. We look forward to more workshops in the future!

There's still more to celebrate in Smyth County this National Poetry Month, including a FREE poetry showcase and an opportunity to have your poetry published in the Smyth County News & Messenger. Details below.

April is National Poetry Month, and this year, poets and poetry lovers alike will have several options to celebrate the event in Smyth County.

04/10/2025

Still more happening in Smyth County for National Poetry Month!

Saturday, April 12, 6-8p.m. at The Art Place - Creative writing workshop exploring language and the creative process, facilitated by author and spoken word poet Leah Elliott Hamilton. Cost: $10. Visit www.brightdawnmedia.com to register or pay at the door.

Wednesday, April 16 at 6:00 p.m.at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion - Appalachian Echoes is hosting a FREE poetry showcase. Community members who would like to read their poems at the showcase should contact Hannah Combs no later than April 11 at [email protected] or 276-378-6911.

Opportunity to have poems published in the Smyth County News & Messenger - Smyth County poets of all ages are invited to visit www.brightdawnmedia.com to submit one poem on any family-friendly topic by 11:59 p.m. on April 14, 2025. The maximum length is 100 words per poem, and poems of three lines or fewer are encouraged. Poets whose work appeared in last year’s Poetry in the Paper are asked to wait until next year to submit again to allow space for new voices in this year’s column. Poets will be notified by April 17 if their poems will be included.

04/01/2025

There's lots happening in Smyth County for National Poetry Month!

The Art Place in Chilhowie will host a poetry showcase on Saturday, April 5 at 6:00 p.m. Local poets Mark Archibald, Hannah Combs, and Leah Elliott Hamilton will share their poetry. This event is free. Donations to support The Art Place are appreciated.

On Saturday, April 12, The Art Place will host a creative writing workshop exploring language and the creative process, facilitated by author and spoken word poet Leah Elliott Hamilton. The cost is $10. Participants can visit www.brightdawnmedia.com to register or pay at the door.

On Wednesday, April 16 at 6:00 p.m. Appalachian Echoes is hosting a poetry showcase at The Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia in Marion. This is a FREE event. Community members who would like to read their poems at the showcase should contact Hannah Combs no later than April 11 at [email protected] or 276-378-6911.

Local poets will also have an opportunity to have their poems published in the Smyth County News & Messenger for Poetry in the Paper 2025. Smyth County poets of all ages are invited to visit www.brightdawnmedia.com to submit one poem on any family-friendly topic by 11:59 p.m. on April 14, 2025. To allow us to feature as many poets as possible, the maximum length is 100 words per poem, and poems of three lines or fewer are encouraged. Poets whose work appeared in last year’s Poetry in the Paper are asked to wait until next year to submit again to allow space for new voices in this year’s column. Poets will be notified by April 17 if their poems will be included.

03/31/2025

I'm thrilled to be offering a creative writing workshop in celebration of National Poetry Month, hosted by The Art Place in Chilhowie! Visit this link to register: https://www.brightdawnmedia.com/registration/p/play-practice-april-2025

💫 As part of our celebration of National Poetry Month published author, Leah Elliott Hamilton, will be bringing her fun Creative Writing Workshop to The Art Place!

✍ Saturday, April 12th from 6pm to 8pm
💲10 per person

Please pre-register at https://www.brightdawnmedia.com/registration/p/play-practice-april-2025

04/24/2024

I am so happy that I got to help seven amazing poets share their work in the local newspaper!

Thank you to everyone who sent in their poems, and thank you to the Smyth County News & Messenger for making the space!

https://swvatoday.com/article_ae547c6c-fe93-11ee-9800-bbffc9023998.html

In April 1996, six poets met at the Library of Congress and launched the first National Poetry Month. Almost 30 years later, National Poetry Month is now the largest literary

04/21/2024

I’ll be one of the poets performing at this event in Abingdon, Virginia, next weekend.

Come experience the energy of live spoken word poetry!

04/17/2024

“Love is the fundamental TONE”

04/13/2024

Only two days left to send in your poems, Smyth County!

Deadline is tomorrow (Sunday) at midnight.

Smyth County residents who have written a poem that they’d like to share with the community, now have an opportunity.
For National Poetry Month, the News & Messenger and Lea Hamilton are partnering to spotlight the work of local poets.
All poets residing in Smyth County and Saltville residents who live in Washington County are invited to submit a poem.
To be considered for publication, submit one poem on any family-friendly topic. To allow as many poets as possible to be featured, the maximum length is 100 words per poem, and poems of three lines or less are encouraged.
Poems should be submitted online through https://www.brightdawnmedia.com/poetry-in-the-paper-2024. Copy and paste the poem in the submission form, or link to a Google doc or website of the poem, or upload a file.
The submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, April 14. Selected poems will be featured in the Smyth County News & Messenger.
Individuals will be notified by April 17 if their poem will be published. Poems not published in this year’s Poetry in the Paper will be considered for other upcoming publications.
For more information, email Leah Hamilton at [email protected]