Tremendous thanks to the editors at Does It Have Pockets for publishing four of my poems in their May issue from my most recent book A Godless Ascends, including: “Aftermath: ~48 Hours,” “Intensive Care,” “To My Unconscious Son,” and ” “Back to Life.” These four poems are from the fourth section of the book dedicated to my son and are poems of recovery. It’s important to me that these personal poems are out in the world.  Many of you know that in 2015 my son (21 at the time) was in a horrible accident in which he was hit on his bicycle by someone in a pickup truck in downtown Salt Lake Ci ..read more

I’m so grateful for the beautiful insights and thoughtful words from fellow poet Kristiane Weeks-Rogers in her review of my most recent poetry book A Godless Ascends published by Lithic Press in March.  As always, tremendous thanks to Tinderbox Poetry Journal for their generous support over the years and for publishing the review! Kristiane Weeks-Rogers (she/her) is a Poet-Writer living in western Colorado. She is the Managing Editor of Small Harbor Publishing. Her debut poetry collection, Self-Anointment with Lemons released in September 2021 by Finishing Line Press. She is the 2nd ..read more

Chicken Soup for the Soul was founded in 1993, “sharing happiness, inspiration and hope through our books, we still publish a new title every month. But we also have a podcast, educational programs, dog and cat food, and our entertainment business, which creates and distributes TV, film and video content to consumers through our free Crackle, Popcornflix and newly launched Chicken Soup for the Soul apps, among others.” They are a paying market looking for stories and poems that tell a story for future publications and have several submission calls open for different topics, including holidays ..read more

I’m pleased to announce I’ll be teaching a generative poetry workshop for Ziggies Open Mic on Tuesday, April 23 from 6 – 8:30pm MT, followed by a reading and open mic on Thursday, May 2 at 6pm.  In this virtual workshop, we’ll read and learn about epistolary poems or poems as letters, including time to generate poems using several prompts. For more information or to register (small $5 fee) email Julie Cummings (jcummings@gmail.com). For more information on upcoming in-person and virtual readings, see my Readings & Events page. Upcoming Readings & Events April 17, 2024, 6:30pm MT ..read more

We can use persona poetry techniques to write memoires. Technically, memoir poetry is not persona poetry, because in persona poetry, the poet and the speaker are different people. It is a bit like ghostwriting. We want to preserve the feeling that it’s true to the person’s voice, even when it is not our voice. One can make the case that when I try to write about a memory from my five-year-old self’s point of view, the poet and the speaker are different people. At 66 I am not physically different but certainly I am emotionally and experientially unlike my 16-year-old self. In persona poems the ..read more

A Godless Ascends Book Launch will be at Lithic Bookstore & Gallery in Fruita, CO on March 21 at 7pm. If you’re in the area, please come celebrate with us! I’m excited to be reading with special guest Alysse Kathleen McCanna, whose book Fish Wife was also released this month by Black Lawrence Press! You can check out all my upcoming readings on my Readings & Events page. March 21, 2024, 7pm – A Godless Ascends Book Launch at Lithic Bookstore & Gallery in Fruita, CO with special guest Alysse Kathleen McCanna! April 17, 2024, 6:30pm – Feature reader for Stories & Poems at Lone C ..read more

Poetry and Memoir writing are traditionally thought of as different kinds of writing but a mash-up can be very successful. One way to use poetry in memoir writing is to think like a memoirist but write like a poet. Organize the poems with a theme, paying attention to the changes that occur for the author in each poem. Just as a traditional memoir writer should think about what changes, what obstacles are overcome. What resources does the writer have in the scene or poem to help them achieve their goal? What is the through line, the thing that ties all the poems, scenes, or stories together? He ..read more

I cannot say enough about the generosity of Dayna Patterson, not to mention the incredible quality of her beautiful poetry. I am honored to share her review of A Godless Ascends just published by Mom Egg Review. If you are not familiar with Patterson’s work, please visit her website linked below. Dayna Patterson is a photographer, textile artist, and irreverent bardophile. She’s the author of O Lady, Speak Again (Signature Books, 2023), If Mother Braids a Waterfall (Signature Books, 2020) and Titania in Yellow (Porkbelly Press, 2019). Honors include the Assoc ..read more

The Penn Review was founded in 1951, making it the oldest continuously published literary magazine at the University of Pennsylvania. It was very exciting to have my poems “Three Miracles” (included in my new book A Godless Ascends) and “Preparation” previously featured at The Penn Review which was also included in their 50th issue! They are known for their fast response time, and got back to me on my submissions within a few days. They are listed as one of the fastest poetry markets on Duotrope. If you’re a regular submitter, it’s always nice to get a response back so quickly, even if it is ..read more

My first full length book entitled A Godless Ascends published by Lithic Press is now available for pre-order. Tremendous thanks to editors Danny Rosen and Kyle Harvey for the impeccable design and quality printing. The book is divided into four sections with beautiful artwork by Nancy Smith, including the cover art. A Godless Ascends will be officially released to celebrate the vernal equinox, March 19, 2024. You can pre-order from the Lithic Press website or if you’d like a signed copy with a bookmark, contact me here. Those who order signed copies before March 19 will be entered in a drawin ..read more