League of Canadian Poets Reading Programs

Organizing a Poetry Reading: Tips and Advice

Please note:

Before applying for any of the following programs please contact the
poet to confirm availability and request permission to apply for reading fees on their behalf. Cancelled readings are redistributed among the previously received applications. Hosts and poets cannot 'hold' readings after a cancellation.
Complete Guidelines:
Canada Poetry Tours
Poets in the Schools
Readings in Public Places
National Poetry Month
Application Forms PDF (please read all guidelines before applying):
Canada Poetry Tours - NEXT DEADLINE JULY 31, 2010
Poets in the Schools - PROGRAM CLOSED FOR REMAINDER OF FISCAL YEAR
Readings in Public Places- PROGRAM CLOSED FOR REMAINDER OF FISCAL YEAR
National Poetry Month - PROGRAM CLOSED FOR REMAINDER OF FISCAL YEAR
Young Poets Week - PROGRAM CLOSED FOR REMAINDER OF FISCAL YEAR

Reading Programs At A Glance

Reading Program	CANADA POETRY TOURS Canada Council	POETS IN THE SCHOOLS Ontario Arts Council	READINGS IN PUBLIC PLACES Toronto Arts Council	NATIONAL POETRY MONTH Canada Council
Deadlines	Spring Season: To apply for readings taking place from April 1 to Sept. 30 the deadline is January 31. Fall Season: To apply for readings taking place from Oct. 1 to March 31 the deadline is July 31. * Hosts can send in applications anytime up until the deadline. Readings are allocated on a first come first serve basis. * Hosts and poets will receive notification 2 weeks after the deadline.	On-going throughout fiscal year until all funding has been allocated. Young Poets Week: Details to be announced.	On-going throughout fiscal year until all funding has been allocated.	February 15
Location	Canada	Ontario	Toronto	Canada
Eligibility - Poet	Members (except first time members) must be in good standing for a minimum of two consecutive years in order to be eligible to participate in the Canada Poetry Tours programs. * Membership fees must be paid in full for both the year the application is being made and the previous fiscal year. Poets: Limit of 5 full readings in a two year period. Book Tours: If a poet is doing a book tour for a newly published book, they may contact the office to request 3 readings be put aside for their tour. The poet must provide the title, publication date and publisher of the new book in order to be eligible. Requests will not be received after the January 31 deadline for readings during the following fiscal year (April 1 - March 31). * Reserved readings are limited and are distributed on a first come first serve basis. ** If reserved readings are not used during the requested year, poets cannot carry them forward or request additional reserved readings for the following year.	Members (except first time members) must be in good standing for a minimum of two consecutive years in order to be eligible to participate in the Canada Poetry Tours programs. * Membership fees must be paid in full for both the year the application is being made and the previous fiscal year. A limit of 10 full visits per poet.	Members (except first time members) must be in good standing for a minimum of two consecutive years in order to be eligible to participate in the Canada Poetry Tours programs. * Membership fees must be paid in full for both the year the application is being made and the previous fiscal year. A limit of 4 readings per fiscal year per poet.	Members and non-members.Non-members must have published at least one full length book or have produced poetry videos, tapes or CDs.
Eligibility - Host	Hosts: Limit of 4 full readings per host.Eligible venues include (but are not limited to): Public libraries, bookstores, museums, festivals, community centers, and post-secondary institutions. Elementary and secondary schools are NOT eligible.	A limit of 10 full visits per school.Only elementary and secondary schools in Ontario are eligible.Participating poets include (but are not limited to): List of Participating Poets* Staff cannot make recommendations	A limit of 4 readings per host. Venues must be located in Toronto. Eligible venues include (but are not limited to): public libraries, bookstores, museums, festivals, community centers, and post-secondary institutions. Elementary and secondary schools are NOT eligible.	A limit of 5 readings per host.Events must explore the NPM theme and take place in non-traditional venues. Theme to be announced.Elementary and secondary schools are NOT eligible.
Reading Fees Paid	Reading fee: Poets are paid $125 for a half reading (joint), and $250 per full reading (solo).	The standard fee is: $200 per half day (two 45 minute sessions)$300 per full day (four 45 minute sessions) The fee is shared by the League and the school.The school's portion is paid directly to the poet on the day of the visit.* Some poets charge a higher rate. Be sure to confirm the details with the poet before making an application.	Poets are paid $100 per reading.	The reading fee is $125 per reading.
Travel Fees Paid	Travel: Poets are paid up to $150 for travel per half reading, and up to $300 per full reading. Receipts: Original travel receipts must be attached to the poets invoice. Travel fee claims without proof of purchase will not be honoured. Mileage calculations do not require an original receipt (Calculate at 32¢ cents/km) Accommodations and meals: Accommodation and meals are NOT covered by this program. Please ensure arrangements are made prior to your reading.	Travel, accommodation and meals are paid by the League directly to the poet with the assistance of the Ontario Arts Council. Receipts: Original travel receipts must be attached to your invoice. Travel fee claims without proof of purchase will not be honoured. Mileage calculations do not require an original receipt (Calculate at 32¢ cents/km)	N/A	N/A
To Request a Poet	The host and poet must arrange the details of the reading before applying to the League for funding. Please contact the poet to confirm availability and request permission to apply for reading fees on their behalf.	Teachers must contact the poet and arrange the details of the visit before applying to the League's funding. Teachers will receive a letter of confirmation after the application has been received.	The host and poet must arrange the details of the reading before applying to the League for funding. Please contact the poet to confirm availability and request permission to apply for reading fees on their behalf.	The host and poet must arrange the details of the reading before applying to the League for funding. Please contact the poet to confirm availability and request permission to apply for reading fees on their behalf.
Allocation of the readings	Readings are distributed based on funding availability and: - First come, first serve - Poet's individual limit - Host's limit - Minimum allotment of 8 readings per province - Past track record of host * Cancelled readings are redistributed to the previously received applications. Hosts and poets cannot 'hold' readings after a cancellation.	Readings are distributed based on funding availability.	Readings are distributed based on funding availability.	National Poetry Month Committee decides on the funding for readings across Canada during April.
Payment/ Invoice Information (for poets)	Cheques are issued directly to the poet after the League receives the signed invoice and all original travel receipts.	Cheques are issued directly to the poet after the League receives the signed invoice and all original travel receipts.	Cheques are issued directly to the poet once the League receives the signed invoice.	Cheques are issued directly to the poet once the League receives the signed invoice.
Application Form	Click here for the Canada Poetry Tours application (pdf). * The form must be printed out, filled in completely and mailed or faxed to the League office.** Incomplete and/or illegible applications will not be considered for funding.	Click here for the Poets in the Schools application form (pdf). * The form must be printed out, filled in completely and mailed or faxed to the League office.** Incomplete and/or illegible applications will not be considered for funding	Click here for the Readings in Public Places application form (pdf). * The form must be printed out, filled in completely and mailed or faxed to the League office. ** Incomplete and/or illegible applications will not be considered for funding	Click here for the National Poetry Month application form. * The form must be printed out, filled in completely and mailed or faxed to the League office. ** Incomplete and/or illegible applications will not be considered for funding
Funder’s Logos	Please click here for Funder’s Logos.	Please click here for Funder’s Logos.	Please click here for Funder’s Logos.	Please click here for Funder’s Logos.
Complete Guidelines	For Canada Poetry Tours guidelines click here.	For the Poets in the Schools program, please click here.	For the Readings in Public Places program, please click here.	For the National Poetry Month program, please click here.