Become a Member today!
Members of the League are professional poets who are actively contributing to the development, growth, and public profile of poetry in Canada. League membership is open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
The League welcomes applications from Canadian and Indigenous print and spoken word poets at all stages in their careers. Check out our eligibility criteria to find out which level of membership might be right for you.
Member Benefits
Membership with the League offers many benefits, from funding opportunities to cross-country networking and beyond.
Eligibility and Fees
Annual membership fee: $185
Eligibility criteria – Print
Applicant must supply one of the following:
- One book* of poetry (48 pages or longer), published by a literary or trade publisher,
- One self-published book of poetry (48 pages of longer) professionally marketed and distributed, as determined by the membership committee,
- Two chapbooks* which have been professionally marketed and distributed, as determined by the membership committee, and which—combined—equal a page count of at least 48 pages,
- A total of at least 48 pages of poetry published in professional markets, as determined by the membership committee; this can be any combination of chapbooks, broadsheets, anthology contributions, and publication in literary magazines.
*Books and chapbooks being used for a membership application must either already be published, or must be forthcoming within 6 months of the application date.
Annual membership fee: $185
Eligibility criteria – spoken word
Applicant must supply a full body of work that demonstrates professional commitment and proficiency in the field of spoken word, as determined by the membership committee.
A full body of work may include:
- a recorded studio album
- participation on a spoken word team, including touring and competing for at least two years
- three featured performance sets of at least 15 minutes each
- print materials, including chapbooks, anthology contributions, publication in literary magazines, etc.
- Commitment to the community through teaching and/or creating performance spaces for other artists is also considered
In your application, please outline in detail your performance history and involvement with the spoken word community. Please also include links to any audio tracks or videos that our membership committee can listen to or view online.
Annual membership fee: $70
Associate Member Eligibility Criteria – Print & Spoken Word
Applicant must supply:
- Two or more poems published online or in print by publications with an independent editorial review process
- Demonstrated interest in continuing to write and publish or perform poetry
Student discount (save $40 per year) available to associate members studying creative writing at the college or university level
For secondary school students
Annual membership fee: $30