Poetry

Chapbook release

My poetry chapbook, Yield Signs Don’t Exist, is now available! Published by PS Books, it can be purchased on Amazon.com.

Poet George Drew says of the book, “Yield Signs Don’t Exist is comprised of poems that never cede their right of way. Whether the poem is a lyrically rendered yet grim morality tale involving a turkey and a baby; a logistically structured contrast poem in which coins are described in terms of what they are not; or a poem set in a supermarket in Pennsylvania and developed through the extended metaphor of pharmaceuticals, each is resonant with ironic wit and humor, each unyielding in its honesty and insight.”

Pushcart Prize nomination

Philadelphia Stories has nominated my poem, “Yield Signs Don’t Exist,” for a Pushcart Prize! Details are here. This is my second Pushcart nomination; the first was from Schuylkill Valley Journal for my short story “Lake.”

Main Street Voices poetry win

I have been named the 2nd place winner in the Main Street Voices Poetry Contest, sponsored by the Doylestown Bookshop. More information about the contest and the reading/reception is here.

Sandy Crimmins Poetry Runner-up

I have been named a runner-up for the Sandy Crimmins National Poetry Prize. My poem, “Yield Signs Don’t Exist,” appears in the Spring 2015 issue of Philadelphia Stories, and I’ll also be participating in a reading reception for the contest. More information on that is under the Events tab and also here.

Bucks County Poet Laureate Runner-Up

I have been named the 3rd runner-up in the 2014 Bucks County Poet Laureate competition, judged by the fabulous Kim Addonizio. This is my second time placing in the competition. Check out the Events page for information on the upcoming reading and reception!

Reading in Philly: a poetry sandwich!

On Tuesday, August 6th, I’ll be a featured reader for Palabras on Passyunk, Elizabeth Spencer’s great new reading series in south Philadelphia. We’ll be at Red Hook Coffee and Tea, 765 S. 4th Street.

Why you should come:

-Fiction! Poetry! I’ll be reading with poets Warren Longmire and Clinton Smith will read poetry. So, something for everyone!

-Preview of my story “Lake,” about to be published this winter, and perhaps some other new stories.

-Open mic. If you like to write, bring a short piece to read at the end of the night.

-Yummy food at the Red Hook Coffee and Tea.

-Free wine and beer. Because why not?

More information is available under the Events tab under News. Hope to see you there!

U.S. 1 Worksheets out now

The 40th Anniversary issue of U.S. 1 Worksheets is now available for purchase. I’m humbled to have my work featured alongside so many amazing and accomplished poets (148 pages of them!) My list of favorite poets in the issue is too long to go into here, but a few standouts for me were Christine McKee, Deda Kavanah, John McDermott, Mitchell Untch, Ann Curran, Kaye Bartholomew, Nancy Scott, Gina Larkin, Bruce Niedt, Betty Lies, Ken Griggs, Gail Fishman Gerwin, Rice Lyons, and of course, Marie Kane, my former teacher who taught me the importance of revision and introduced me to a wonderful community of poets.

Learn more about U.S. 1 Worksheets, including where to buy an issue and how to submit, here.

Publication in U.S.1 Worksheets

I’m proud to be a part of the 40th anniversary issue of U.S. 1 Worksheets, the magazine of the U.S. 1 Poets’ Cooperative. My poem “She Doesn’t Know Where She Is. She Keeps Asking Me How I Got Here” will be published in the magazine in April. Order copies here.

I’ll also be doing a reading at the launch of the magazine. Check out the Events page for more detail.

Publication in Aries

Check out the latest issue of Aries: A Journal of Art and Literature, for 3 new poems–“After the Fire,” “Bridal Shower,” and “City Boy.” The issue is online here.