Meet the Editors: Altadena's 2020-2022 Poets Laureate
Jessica Abughattas, Poet Laureate Jessica Abughattas was born and raised in California. Her debut book, Strip, won the Etel Adnan Poetry...
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Community. Collaboration. Solidarity. Resistance.
The mission of the Altadena Poetry Review is to publish poets and writers in Altadena, Pasadena, and LA County. We encourage and uplift submissions from historically underrepresented voices including Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ, people of color, and people of diverse age groups and backgrounds.
What started as a small reading of just a dozen local poets one spring afternoon in 2003 at the Altadena Library has grown into a poetry movement in the community of Altadena and beyond. Every year after 2003, the annual reading called Poetry & Cookies, grew to include more and more poets and eventually expanded to feature a printed anthology of local poets and writers called the Altadena Poetry Review.
By 2020 the Altadena Literary Review featured the work of over 115 poets and writers in Altadena, Pasadena, and greater Los Angeles County.
Just as poetry itself must evolve by nature of creative growth and inclusion of new voices, so must the format through which we honor and celebrate poetry in our community. The future of Altadena poetry will include digital avenues for publication to ensure easier access for more to enjoy and programs and publications that highlight the voices of poets that are Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, people of color, and from a diverse range of age groups and backgrounds. Built into the name of our unique community is “Alta,” Latin for “growth” or “high.” Together, we will lift high the unique tapestry of creative voices that shape our community and inspire future generations of poets.