| |
Linda Parsons
|
| |
|
Linda Parsons has been a poet, playwright, and editor for over 40 years while being active in the writing and artistic community of Knoxville and the East Tennessee region. She attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, earning both her bachelor’s and master's degrees in English. She retired after serving as editor for nearly 30 years at UT. A Nashville native, she has lived in Knoxville for over 50 years and is an eighth-generation Tennessean.
A member of the East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame, Parsons is the author of six poetry collections, most recently
This Shaky Earth (2016),
Candescent (2019), and
Valediction: Poems and Prose (2023). Her works explore subjects such as family history, childhood, gardening / the natural world, and loss/rebirth.
She co-created and coordinated WordStream: The Weekly Writer’s Voice, a reading/performance series sponsored by WDVX-FM and Visit Knoxville in 2019-2020. The program brought over 100 writers / performers to the WDVX stage. She is currently the poetry editor for Madville Publishing and the copy editor for Chapter 16, the literary website of Humanities Tennessee. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Knoxville Writers Guild. Five of her plays were produced by Knoxville’s Flying Anvil Theatre.
She has received two individual artist grants from the Tennessee Arts Commission, the AWP Intro Award, George Scarbrough Poetry Award, prizes from Streetlight Magazine and the Tennessee Writers Alliance, and numerous Pushcart Prize nominations. Parsons helped lead a workshop for caregivers of dementia patients, drawing from her personal experience in caring for her father, an area of interest for future poetry workshops.
Linda Parsons has been named the Poet Laureate of Knoxville, a role in which she will continue to uplift voices and celebrate the power of language across East Tennessee.
| SCHEDULE AS POET LAUREATE
|
Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025
Reading a poem as part of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra's Symphony in the Square concert, 7:30 p.m.
Market Square
Friday, Oct. 3, 2025
First Friday poetry reading and conversation with artist Gary Heatherly.
Lilienthal Gallery
23 Emory Place
Saturday, Oct. 4 and Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025
Writing poems at the Knox Writers Guild table for
Knox Small Press Fest attendees
The Emporium Center
100 S. Gay Street
Friday, Oct. 10, 2025
Fall Poetry Workshop
1-2:30 p.m.
Halls Library Branch
4518 E. Emory Road
Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025
TN Poets Laureate Reading
Southern Festival of Books
Downtown Nashville
Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025
Fall Festival
1-5 p.m.
Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum
2743 Wimpole Ave.
Nov. 3, 2025
Arbor Day celebration
1:30 p.m.
Malcolm Martin Park
2247 Western Ave.
Dec. 20, 2025
City Council Swearing-In Ceremony
10 a.m.
Knoxville Convention Center
Read "For Chloe, On Turning Eighteen"
here.
Our Gardens, Ourselves poetry workshop
10 a.m. - noon
UT Gardens, South Greenhouse, Room 124
Register
online
April 2
Poetry Month Event: Parsons joins readings by winners of the 2026 Knoxville Writers Guild Poetry Contest, followed by a special presentation from newly appointed Knoxville Youth Poet Laureate Nia Thompson. Part of the Knoxville Writers Guild meeting, held this month at Knoxville Museum of Art, 6:30 p.m.
April 7
Speaking to Keith Leonard's creative writing classes (two) at Fulton High School, poetry and playwriting.
April 11
Sidewalk Haiku, part of Dogwood Arts' Chalk Walk. A PL project in partnership with DA and the Knox Writers Guild. Our station will be off Market Square on Union Ave, 10 am-5 pm.
April 24
Reading at State of the City address, Urban Wilderness Gateway Park, 11 am.
April 25
Reading and book signing as part of the Knox County Public Library's The Local Chapter program.
Burlington branch, 4614 Asheville Hwy, 2 pm.
Get more information.
April 26
Speakeasy reading salon, featuring local actors reading from my poetry and me reading one poem. Borderland Playhouse, 802 Sevier Ave, 7 pm.
April 29
Reading at Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum, 6 pm.
Register
April 30
Reading at Seniors for Creative Learning meeting, John T. O'Connor Senior Center, 611 Winona St, 1 pm.
May 2
Reading with authors in Women Speak anthology, East Tennessee State University, 1-3 pm.
May 8
Reading in the program for A Wildflower Affair, Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave, 11 am-1 pm.
May 15-31
World Premiere of
Decoration Day by Theater 23, Borderland Playhouse, 802 Sevier Ave.
Tickets will be available
on their website.