CHARLESTON, S.C. - Gov. Mark Sanford has named a Sullivans Island book and film publicist as the state's new poet laureate.

Marjory Wentworth, co-author of "What the Water Gives Me," also wrote a poem for Sanford's inauguration titled "Rivers of Wind."

Wentworth replaces Bennie Lee Sinclair, who died in 2000. Sinclair had held the position since 1976.

"It really has taken me by surprise," said Wentworth, who is married to independent film producer Peter Wentworth. "There are so may great writers in the state, so I feel honored. It's exciting, but I don't know what it all entails at this point."

There's no requirement under the law that defines the role, and there's no confirmation process through the General Assembly.

"The governor can call upon her whenever he finds the occasion to be appropriate," Sanford's spokesman Chris Drummond said Friday.

Last week, Sanford vetoed the $1,200 stipend for the poet laureate in the state budget. Sanford said the person had agreed to serve for free.

Information from: The Post And Courier