Fancy yourself a wordsmith? Have a stack of poetry you think is pretty good, but haven’t yet found a place to publish it? Or are you an established poet looking for one more venue to share your work?

Poet’s Showcase could be the answer. Each week, we’ll reserve a corner of the book page to highlight a poem by an area writer. The new feature will begin Oct. 26.

We don’t want to limit you, but here are a few guidelines that will improve your chances of being published:

• Please limit your poems to around 35 lines.
• Try to avoid aggressive political attacks.
• Avoid sappy topics that lend themselves to cliches.

We prefer to receive submissions via e-mail but also will accept typewritten submissions sent through the mail. Handwritten submissions will not be accepted. Teen writers should submit their work to the 18 & Under page at teens@ljworld.com

Include your name, address, telephone number and send your work to mpaget@ljworld.com with a subject line of Poet’s Showcase or Mindie Paget, 645 N.H., Lawrence 66044, attn: Poet’s Showcase.