In partnership with the City of Sedona and Sedona Poetry Slam we are proud to announce that Gary Every is Sedona’s first Poet Laureate – a title befitting a writer whose creative reach and community involvement span more than two decades of literary, cultural, and environmental contributions to the region. From leading poetry circles to performing at sold-out theater shows, Gary has not only chronicled the desert’s beauty but has also helped shape the literary culture of the Verde Valley.
Let’s get to know our first ever Poet Laureate!
Gary first moved to West Sedona 21 years ago and immediately immersed himself in the poetry scene hosted by the Well Red Coyote bookstore. Already an accomplished and widely published poet, he quickly became a regular at the store’s poetry salons and ultimately took the helm of the writing group, guiding it through a 12-year run. Under his leadership, the group became one of the area’s most reliably attended literary gatherings.
His commitment to community storytelling has been a lifelong pursuit. Gary has been the only poet regularly featured in the annual Bob Dylan Birthday Bash and Bobfest at the Old Town Center for the Arts in Cottonwood – two decades of performances that blend poetry with music and celebrate creative expression in its many forms.
Equally at home in theaters and classrooms, Gary has read poems, delivered monologues, and even sung for Red Earth Theater and Emerson Theater over the last ten years. His stage presence extended beyond performance into production and direction, with his Edward Abbey tribute events selling out three years in a row. Two years ago, he wrote and staged “Tales of a Traveling Troubadour,” a rock-and-roll musical based on the life of his guitarist, which was met with enthusiastic audiences at Emerson Theater and Tlaquepaque.
Gary’s writing career spans genres and formats. His poetry has appeared in prestigious literary magazines such as The North American Review, South Carolina Review, Gargoyle, and Blue Mesa Review. His poem “Amphitheater,” originally published in Poesis, received a Pushcart Prize nomination. As a nature writer and environmental essayist, he was a frequent contributor—and three-time guest editor—for Snowy Egret magazine. His work has also been published in High Country News, Arizona Highways, and The Climbing Art, showcasing his deep engagement with the natural world.
A prolific science fiction writer as well, Gary’s work has appeared in hundreds of genre publications, with poems and stories featured in Mythic Delirium, New Myths, and Starline. His poem “Piano Waterfall” won the Reader’s Choice Award in the Cosmic Muse anthology, and his short story “Mussolini’s Catfish” was nominated for the Sturgeon Award. He has been nominated seven times for the Rhysling Award for science fiction poetry, and his novellas Inca Butterflies and The Saint and the Robot have recently been re-released in second editions.
In addition to his published works, Gary has been a steadfast local educator and advocate for history and environmental awareness. His monthly column for The Oracle newspaper explored the history, folklore, and ecology of the Southwest and earned several accolades, including back-to-back Arizona Newspaper Association awards. A selection of these pieces was compiled in Shadow of the OhshaD.
Gary has taught classes for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Yavapai College and delivered lectures at prominent institutions including the Phoenix Desert Botanical Gardens and the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. As the bonfire storyteller at the Miraval Resort near Tucson, he wove tales of the Old West for captivated guests.
Perhaps one of his most impactful local contributions was the creation of the Pumphouse Poetry and Prose Project. For eight years, Gary curated and hosted this literary series, bringing together national authors and local voices in monthly readings.
Gary also believes in the importance of nurturing future generations. As part of the Artist in the Classroom program supported by Gardens for Humanity and now the City of Sedona, he has visited schools across the Verde Valley to teach third graders about poetry and water conservation – linking art with environmental education in a meaningful way.
Most recently, Gary has brought local literature to the airwaves. His weekly radio program on Mellow Mountain Radio (106.5 FM and 780 AM KAZM) has reached its 30th episode, spotlighting authors from across Arizona in thoughtful, engaging half-hour interviews.
We are equally pleased to announce that Anya Blue Lior is Sedona’s first ever Junior Poet Laureate. A born-and-raised Sedonan with a deep-rooted love for her hometown, Anya is a
standout student who maintains a 4.0 GPA and serves as Student Body President. Her passion for poetry, storytelling, and teaching is matched by her dedication to community service, from lifeguarding and teaching swim lessons to inspiring others through words. Anya believes that everyone can enjoy poetry when given the right inspiration, and she is eager to share that spark through local workshops, school visits, and performances. As Junior Poet Laureate, she hopes to help Sedona grow stronger together through the power of poetry.
Community Library Sedona is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your gifts and support, just like the Friends’ contributions, allow us to provide a plethora of services and programs for the community, all for free, all year long. Visit communitylibrarysedona.org/donate to make an online gift today.
As published by Red Rock News
Library News Column for May 9, 2025, by Tasha Spuches,