Circulo De Poetas Releases New Poetry Anthology
The Santa Cruz-based literary organization features five poet laureates in their latest published collection.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Hispanic
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The Circulo de poetas & Writers organization has published a new anthology featuring contributions from five poet laureates, including Marie Boucher and Victoria Bañales. The book is published by Prickly Pear Press.
Why it matters
The organization works to address colonial residues in the publishing industry that often deter writers of color from sharing their work. Through consistent support and recognition, they aim to foster a more inclusive literary environment.
The anthology features work from five poet laureates and follows a decade of workshops and conferences hosted by the organization. Victoria Bañales, who resides in Watsonville, recently earned two awards from the International Latino Book Awards.
The players
Circulo de poetas & Writers
This Santa Cruz organization hosts annual conferences at the Museum of Art and History and provides workshops to generate new literary work.
Victoria Bañales
A poet based in Watsonville, she recently received two awards from the International Latino Book Awards.
Marie Boucher
She is a poet laureate representing Monterey County whose work is featured in the new anthology.
Kadiri Vaquer Fernández
A writer who received a 2026 Spanish language book award from the International Latino Book Awards.
Prickly Pear Press
This is the independent publishing house responsible for releasing the new anthology.
The details
The collection highlights the work of established voices like Marie Boucher and Victoria Bañales to support regional literary growth. The Circulo de poetas & Writers provides space for these authors through its ongoing efforts to counter systemic barriers in publishing.
Timeline
October 27, 2026: The anthology launch event takes place at Satori Arts.
Culture Shift
This release reflects a broader movement to challenge the historical trend of underrepresentation of writers of color in mainstream publishing. By curating work from diverse laureates, the group creates an alternative framework to established institutional gatekeeping.
Residents in Santa Cruz can attend the official launch event scheduled for Satori Arts at 815 this October. Participation in the organization’s ongoing workshops provides writers with access to established literary networks and professional development.
The takeaway
Supporting independent local anthologies provides a tangible way to elevate regional voices within the broader literary landscape. Readers interested in contemporary poetry should look for collections that emphasize diverse laureate perspectives.
Further reading
For more on local community literary efforts, visit the Hispanic section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Good Times Santa Cruz.
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