UW-Eau Claire professor named poet laureate

MILWAUKEE (AP) - An Eau Claire writer has been named Wisconsin's new poet laureate.

Max Garland is a professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports Garland will attend and perform in literary events as requested by the governor's office, school systems and literary organizations.

The job is unpaid, but he will be reimbursed for travel expenses.

In a statement, Garland says he plans to urge writers to explore their relationships with places they know in poetry.

Garland was previously a rural mail carrier in western Kentucky, where he was born. He's been published widely in literary journals.

The Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters announced he'll serve through 2014.