The Ina Coolbrith Circle

Founded in 1919 by California’s first Poet Laureate, Ina Coolbrith, our Circle has served as a nexus for literary discussion and friendly competition for over a century. Inspired by the natural beauty of the Golden State, we continue to nurture a vibrant community of poets, scholars, and readers.
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Poetry gatherings

Since 1919, the Ina Coolbrith Circle has gathered to keep the history and literature of California alive. Our signature monthly gatherings provide a forum for discussions on Golden State poetry by guest speakers and an open-mic for members to share their own work. Learn more about our gatherings or become a member and join us.

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Poetry contests

The Ina Coolbrith Circle is proud to foster the literary arts through our long-standing poetry competitions. Whether you are an established poet or a student at one of California’s prestigious universities, we invite you to share your work with us. Learn more about contests or View previous winners

“The soft star-closes to the golden days

I dreamed away, in that far, tropic clime,

Wherein Love’s blossom budded, bloomed and died!”

Ina Coolbrith

Fragment from an Unfinished Poem​

Membership

Join an active community of poets and artists dedicated to nurturing California’s literary heritage. By becoming a member, you help sustain a century-long tradition of promoting the poetic arts and preserving the unique stories of the Golden State. Join the circle

About Ina Coolbrith

Ina Coolbrith was a central figure in California’s early literary scene and the state’s first Poet Laureate. As a long-time librarian and mentor to writers like Jack London, she crafted lyrical poetry that captured the natural beauty and spirit of the West. Learn more

The Circle’s State Library Collection

Our collection at the California State Library is a home for the creative work of our members. Explore an archive that honors our founder’s legacy while providing a permanent shelf for the books and chapbooks written by our Circle today. Learn more

Our Member Websites

Explore a collection of independent voices and artistic visions from across our Circle. While rooted in the written word, these member sites offer a unique map of our contemporary literary community and the many mediums our poets use today. Learn more

Ina Coolbrith landmarks

From the libraries of Oakland to the hills of San Francisco, Ina’s spirit is woven into the California landscape. Explore these landmarks to find where her story still lingers, immortalized in the beauty of the Golden State she so dearly loved. Learn more

Scheduled gatherings

Sat, Sep 19, 2026 at 2:00 PM (PT)
Contest winners poetry reading
Winners from the Ina Coolbrith Circle’s annual 2026 contest read their winning poems.
Sat, Oct 17, 2026 at 2:00 PM (PT)
Monthly gathering
Our guest speaker is David Alpaugh. An open mic will follow.
Sat, Nov 21, 2026 at 2:00 PM (PT)
Monthly gathering
Our guest speaker is Robert Lavett Smith. An open mic will follow.
Sat, Jan 16, 2027 at 2:00 PM (PT)
Monthly gathering
Our guest speaker is Renée Berland. An open mic will follow.
Sat, Feb 20, 2027 at 2:00 PM (PT)
Monthly gathering
Our guest speaker is Angie Minkin. An open mic will follow.
Sat, Mar 20, 2027 at 2:00 PM (PT)
Monthly gathering
Our guest speaker is Deborah Schmidt. An open mic will follow.
Sat, Apr 17, 2027 at 2:00 PM (PT)
Monthly gathering
Our guest speaker is Evie Groch. An open mic will follow.
Sat, May 22, 2027 at 2:00 PM (PT)
Monthly gathering
Our guest speaker is California Poet Laureate, Lee Herrick. An open mic will follow.
Sat, Jun 5, 2027 at 2:00 PM (PT)
Ina Coolbrith Contest Awards
Winners from the 2027 Ina Coolbrith Contest will be announced.

Upcoming contests

Annual Poetry Contest

Description:
Submissions are closed for this year’s Annual Poetry Contest. Winners will be announced at our Awards Celebration — check back for results!

About contests

Past winners

Membership enrollment

Member website application

Ownership: All links must point to a website primarily owned or managed by the ICC member.

Content Standards: The Circle reserves the right to decline or remove links to websites containing hate speech, illegal material, or content that directly conflicts with the Circle’s mission of fostering the art of poetry and literature.

Maintenance: Members are responsible for ensuring their links remain active. The Circle conducts periodic audits; links that remain “broken” for more than 30 days will be moved to a “pending” status and removed from the public showcase.