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Welcome to The Stafford Challenge
We are getting close.
Registration for the 2027 cohort of The Stafford Challenge will open mid-November.
What Is The Stafford Challenge?
Short Answer:
The Stafford Challenge is a commitment to writing a poem every day for a year, starting January 17, 2027, inspired by the legendary poet William Stafford, who made it a practice to craft a daily poem.
Longer Answer:
The Stafford Challenge began in Jan 2024 and has welcomed over 3000 participants from 25 countries and all 50 states. Starting in its fourth year in 2027, this is more than just a commitment and stretch to craft a poem a day for an entire year. It's also a community of creatives who are all embarking on this poetic journey together. Within this collective, we not only explore the realm of creativity but also open the door to the potential of self-discovery through the art of poetry.
As part of this endeavor, we offer monthly Guest Poet Zoom events featuring accomplished poets who'll impart their wisdom, share their work, offer inspiration, and celebrate the magic of poetry. Our 2026 roster includes distinguished poets such as Kim Stafford, Lauren Camp, Jacqueline Allen Trimble, Patricia Smith, and many more. Our 2027 roster will be posted when registration begins.
In addition, you'll receive bi-weekly emails, access to a moderated Facebook group for connecting and sharing with each other, and the opportunity to join small writing groups if you wish.
Why Should I Sign Up?
Everyone will have a different purpose and reason. The hope is that this practice offers an opportunity to pause daily, to observe your inner or outer world - a chance to make art in words to help give a voice to what you experience.
Certainly, you can embark on this challenge solo, but signing up signifies your commitment to join a worldwide community of fellow poets. It provides a layer of accountability to bolster you in your poetic journey.
By becoming a part of The Stafford Challenge, you'll also gain access to all the stated benefits.
What benefits do I receive?
Besides knowing that you are a part of a rich community of poets embarking on the same stretch, by signing up you will also gain access to:
- Monthly Guest Poet Zoom events featuring accomplished poets
- Bi-weekly inspirational emails.
- A moderated Facebook group for connecting and sharing.
- The opportunity to join small writing groups if you wish.
Join us in this beautiful journey of words and self-discovery, starting January 17, 2027 (the birthday of William Stafford)
Pay-What-You-Can
The Stafford Challenge is sustained by the writers who take part. Contributions are on a sliding scale beginning at $60, with a suggested amount of $120 to $180 for the year. Give more if you are able, and give less if you need to. No one is turned away for lack of funds.
If $60 is out of reach, scholarships are available. Please reach out to: signup@staffordchallenge.com.
Ready to join a community of poets and make your stretch?
Let's do this together.