Poetry Out Loud: 2020 Judges

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Jeff Worley Kentucky Poet Laureate for 2019-2020
Jeff Worley, the current poetry laureate of Kentucky, is the author of six books and four chapbooks of poetry, as well as an anthology from University Press of Kentucky titled "What Comes Down to Us: 25 Contemporary Kentucky Poets." His book "The Only Time There Is" won the Mid-List Press first-book competition. His second, "Happy Hour at the Two Keys Tavern," was named co-winner of the Society of Midland Authors Literary Competition, was awarded the 2006 Kentucky Book of the Year in Poetry and nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Worley has received numerous other awards for his writing, including three Al Smith Fellowships from the Kentucky Arts Council and a National Endowment Creative Writing Fellowship. Jeff’s newest collection, "Lucky Talk," is from Broadstone Books. He and his wife, Linda, divide their time between Lexington and their cabin at Cave Run Lake.

Carmen Mitzi Sinnott
Carmen Mitzi Sinnott is HYPED to have been a judge for Poetry Out Loud. The daughter of two Appalachian artists, at 18 years old she packed the grit she earned from growing up in Greenup County and moved to New York City to pursue her dream of becoming a professional dancer. Her crowning achievement was writing, producing and performing in her solo play “SNAPSHOT: a true story of love interrupted by invasion” featured repeatedly on PBS nationwide, and on stage in South Africa, Scotland, Sweden, Brooklyn and campuses across America.

Jude McPherson
Jude McPherson is a member of the Affrilachian Poets. He has released two collections of poetry, "On My Mind" and "Jupiter's Child." He currently hosts the open mic/poetry slam BloodSpeaks and teaches at the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning.