Harken up, ye lovers of poetry. There’s a new gig in town.

The Jewel Box Poets Third Sunday Reading Series begins Jan. 15 in Poulsbo, with the appearance of two local poets.

The poetry series replaces the Author Reading Series previously held at the Jewel Box Theatre.

Spearheading the poetry series is Jenifer Lawrence, who saw a need in Kitsap County for more opportunities to bring poets and audiences together.

“I love poetry, and I thought Kitsap County needed a good venue for showcasing local readers,” she said. “I hope to introduce all the regional poets I can get to the county, and gather an audience to meet the poets.”

The first poets to take the mic are John Willson and Jerry Carlin, both from Bainbridge Island.

Willson is the recipient of the Pushcart Prize and awards from the Academy of American Poets and the Pacific Northwest Writers Conference. His first book of poetry, “The Son We Had,” was published by Blue Begonia Press in 1999.

Willson has worked as a poetry instructor for the Bainbridge Island Park District, and if his face looks familiar, maybe it’s because his day job is as a bookseller at Eagle Harbor Books in Winslow.

Carlin is a poet and interior designer who moved to Bainbridge Island with his partner after living in San Francisco for 25 years.

He has had his work published in the Bainbridge Island art magazine “Exhibitions,” and has read at The Poulsbohemian, The Jewel Box Theatre and Elliot Bay Books and other venues in Seattle.

Lawrence said the monthly poetry series will focus on contemporary poetry by two featured poets. Following the readings there will be an open mic for anyone who wants to share their poetry with an audience.

Next month’s reading will feature Port Townsend poet Mary Lou Sanelli and Gail Kaune.

Lawrence’s background, education and career is in engineering, but she is also a published poet. Her work has appeared in a dozen regional and national publications including “Exhibition” and “National Arts Review.”

Her first full length book of poetry, “One Hundred Steps From Shore” is set for publication by Blue Begonia Press.

The Jewel Box Poets Third Sunday Reading Series takes place 3 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Jewel Box Theatre, 225 Iverson, Poulsbo. The event is free and open to anyone interested in poetry. wu