The Poetry Society of South Carolina
About The Poetry Society of South Carolina
We host free readings and lectures, and foster the craft of poetry by offering seminars, workshops, writers’ groups, and prizes that include cash awards and publication. Among the major American poets we have featured through the years are Edna St. Vincent Millay, Robert Frost, Carl Sandburg, Vachel Lindsay, Lawrence Binyon, James Tate, Charles Simic, Robert Pinsky, Linda Pastan, and Billy Collins.
Readings
Poetry Readings
Our Charleston program series has brought poetry readings and workshops to Charleston continuously since 1921. Beginning with the 2024-2025 calendar year, the PSSC launched its "Every Corner, Every County" campaign, bringing the official reading series to each of four South Carolina regions (Pee Dee, Coastal, Midlands, and Upstate). Additionally, each region is encouraged to coordinate other community-building activities, such as salons held on interesting topics, open mics, poetry critique groups, poetry walks, and partnering with other organizations. All poetry readings are free and open to the public. All are welcome.
Activities
Our poetry contests encourage poetry-writing at all levels of skill, and include the Skylark Prize a student competition whose guidelines are sent to every high school in the state. The Writers’ Group began with the first season of the PSSC in 1921 and continued without interruption until recent years. With the 2025-2026 season, the Writers' Group will return, facilitated by Layle Chambers. Our featured poets are selected for scholarship as well as showmanship, and give terrific workshops. If you are interested in holding a workshop in your county, contact us to get involved.
The board of the Poetry Society meets once a month. Our work is supported by dues, contest entry fees, contributions from South Carolina businesses and charities, and the volunteer efforts of our members. If you want to lend a hand, and have or want to acquire arts administration experience, do contact us.
Join PSSC
We welcome you to join the Poetry Society (PDF) of South Carolina. Benefits include a copy of the Yearbook; notices of monthly meetings, contests, and other literary events; discount tuition for our seminars; free entry into Fall and Spring contests; and a supportive statewide community of poets and friends of poetry. Being a poet is not a requirement of membership. We welcome poetry lovers and poets of any (or no) skill level.
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