Jan Wood
International Christian Poet Laureate 2008–2010
In February 2008 Utmost Christian Writers Foundation selected its second International Christian Poet Laureate, Jan Wood, of Big River, Saskatchewan, Canada. She was chosen from a slate of six candidates who submitted applications according to a strict criteria.
Jan's term as Poet Laureate began March 1, 2008 and will continue until February 28, 2010. She will be officially inaugurated at the Gathering of Christian Poets in Edmonton on April 12. In addition to a trophy, Jan will at that time also receive a cash prize of $200.
Her Accomplishments
Jan's accomplishments in poetry have been notable and wide ranging. She was first published at Utmost Christian Writers in the fall of 2003. Following that achievement, Jan twice won the Grand Prize in the Utmost Christian Poetry Contest (2004 and 2007). In 2005 she won the Word Guild award for poetry, and between 2003 and 2008 she has won numerous awards for her poetry and has been widely published, both on-line and in print.
Her Faith
Jan Wood is a committed child of God who professes Jesus Christ as her Savior. Quoting from her application, "It is through my faith I see and experience the purpose of life. It is through my faith that I understand the significance of each day, each moment and every relationship I am privileged to make."
Her Future
During her two year term as Poet Laureate, Utmost Christian Writers will endeavor to work with Jan to develop and realize a poetry project of significance. This is in line with Utmost's mandate "to encourage and support poets of Christian faith."
Her Poetry
We encourage you to read some of Jan's work which has been published at Utmost Christian Writers, and we urge you to keep an eye out for more poetry from this skilled and ground-breaking Christian poet.
April
Winter
In
a Civilized Society an Adulteress Isn't Stoned
…finding
the words…
…and Jesus was baptized
How Abram and I Moved From Ur