The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities recently announced the 2025 Louisiana Poet Laureate, New Orleanian Gina Ferrara. Ferrara is an associate professor of English at Delgado Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Master of Fine Arts from the University of New Orleans.
Her poems have been published in Callaloo, The Poetry Ireland Review, Tar River, The Southern Review, and she was nominated for a Best of the Net and a Pushcart Award in 2024. Her latest collection, “Amiss,” was published by Dos Madres Press in 2023.
According to a recent press release, Ferrara plans to use her position to promote and highlight the work of Louisiana poets.
“Poetry dwells in all of us and it’s often a matter of cultivation that leads to fruition. It is about finding voice. My experience as an educator has made this my mantra and mission, whether it has been leading breast cancer survivors in a workshop or nurturing reluctant middle schoolers to write a poem. A discovered voice is something I am privileged to see,” she said.
Past poet laureates include Alison Pelegrin, Mona Lisa Saloy, John Warner Smith, Jack Bedell, Brenda Marie Osbey, Darrell Bourque, Julie Kane, Ava Leavell Haymon, and Peter Cooley.
Events around town:
Oct. 3
“Surprise! Jump Start Your Writing” at the Milton H. Latter Memorial Library will engage and inspire poets and authors and with a workshop led by Brad Richard. nolalibrary.org/events
Oct. 7
Writer John T. Edge (author of “The Potlikker Papers: A Food History of the Modern South”) stops by The Garden District Book Shop to discuss his latest book, “House of Smoke: A Southerner Goes Searching for Home,” along with New York Times columnist Brett Anderson. gardendistrictbookshop.com
Oct. 11
Scare up a good time with a family-friendly “Ghostly Story Hour” at the Mid-City branch of the New Orleans Public Library. The event will include spooky stories, songs and activities. nolalibrary.org/events
Oct. 15
Meet New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks at Octavia Books with the launch of his latest novel, “Remain: A Supernatural Love Story.” Tickets for the event include a pre-signed copy of the book and a photo op with the author. octaviabooks.com
Oct. 27
Blue Cypress’ Krewe of ARC (adults reading children’s classics) book club revisits the YA novel “The Witch of Blackbird Pond” just in time for Halloween celebrations. bluecypressbooks.com
