Poet Laureate

Florence, Alabama

Shannon Milliman

Inaugural Poet Laureate

As Florence’s Inaugural Poet Laureate, Shannon Milliman believes poetry belongs everywhere people live, work, and gather. Her work inspires curiosity, listening, joy of language and creating confidence that poetic expression is for all people. Especially you. Theatrical, lyrical, dancer of words, body, spirit. Marathon runner, storyteller. Sparker of conversations behind closed doors.

To book contact:
(503) 890-6193
[email protected]

Biography

Shannon Milliman is a performance artist who thrives on live connection eager to enliven your group with inspiration and action through words. Her work spans essays, plays, and poetry, including her recent collection What If God Is? What If I Am? published by local Florence 7 Points Press. She has toured nationally with her original one-woman show Not So Supernova, a raw and humorous exploration of motherhood’s jagged edges. While Poet Laureate Shannon is committed to serving the community through education and continued, intense, creative work through poems, plays and essays. Residing in Florence, AL Shannon has also lived in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska and finds beauty in exploring contrast in land and lived experiences. Is there a word for a woman who found the Singing River magic elixir mid-life and who guzzles it for its life-affirming, restorative, thirst-quenching properties? All she can say is she is here to offer this living water to all of beautiful Florence, Alabama and beyond.

Poet Laureate 4 Pillar PlatformWords for Helpers and Healers
Poetry that brings strength, support and calm to the people who care for our community. Focused on Veterans, hospital teams, caregivers, counselors, hospice staff, first responders, pastoral support and support workers.Words at Work
Poetry for the workplace for connection, creativity, emotional safety and humanity in workplaces. ERGs, lunch & learns, guest speaker, workshops for businesses, manufacturers, small shops, nonprofits, and city teams.Poetry for Learners
Poetry experiences for students and lifelong learners in schools, retirement, youth groups and libraries. Helping all be lifelong learners exploring voice, story, and curiosity.Poetry in the Wild
Poetry placed in meaningful public places throughout Florence to deepen community connection. Includes cemeteries, historic grounds, parks, the riverwalk, tourism sites, and arts spaces.Please reach out, Shannon would love to bring language and poetry to you, your organization and any unexpected place near you!

Events
Event, date, time, location

  • These Mountains Should Be Ours: Essay Readings, 2/24/26, 5pm, Pebble Hill, 101 S. Debardeleben St, Auburn, AL

  • City Council Poet Laureate Agenda Announcement 3/3/26, 11am, Florence Coliseum

  • 7 Points Press, Renaissance Arts Division Launch 3/5/26Abraham Rowe Studio, 204 Cypress Mill Rd, Florence, AL

  • Inaugural Poet Laureate Reading Celebration 3/9/26, 6pm, 209 E Tuscaloosa St, Florence, AL

  • Poetry Prom, 4/11/26, 7-10pm, The Village School, 200 Chickamauga St, Sheffield, AL

  • Graveyard Poetry, 4/18/26, TBD