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Archive for the ‘ Literary Scene ’ Category

 

Colorado Poet Series: Interview with Alyse Knorr

November 30th, 2018
Copper Mother by Alyse Knorr

The local literary scene is, one must remember, a community.  (One you can be a part of, by the way, whether you’re a writer or reader!) In fact, after I interviewed the poet Elizabeth Robinson who connected me with fiction writer David Hicks, and it was David Hicks who recommended that I reach out to poet Alyse Knorr. It was my pleasure to read two of Alyse Knorr’s poetry collections, Copper Mother and Mega-City Redux for the purpose of this interview. These collections of poetry and prose respectively are both delightfully dense and unusual explorations which perpetuate insightful... Read More

Interview with Colorado Prize for Poetry Winner: Gillian Cummings

November 24th, 2018
The Owl Was A Bakers Daughter_Gillian Cummings

Gillian Cummings is the Author of The Owl was a Baker’s Daughter, winner of the 2018 Colorado Prize for Poetry selected by John Yau, forthcoming this November from The Center for Literary Publishing at Colorado State University. I reached out to Gillian Cummings directly regarding her success, and she enthusiastically consented to an interview. About The Owl Was a Baker’s Daughter: The title The Owl was a Baker’s Daughter originates from a line spoken by Shakespeare’s Ophelia in Hamlet whose grief and guilt at which point have overwhelmed her into a sort of psychosis. The Owl was a... Read More

Interview with Colorado Book Award Finalist, Adam Houle

November 1st, 2018

I was fortunate to meet Adam Houle when he came to read as a Finalist for the Colorado Book Award Finalist at Denver’s BookBar. Adam and I were introduced afterwards through mutual friends. I later reached out to Adam who happily consented to an interview for OnDenver. ADAM HOULE is the author of Stray (Lithic Press, 2017). His poems have appeared in journals such as Agni, Shenandoah, Guernica, Barrow Street, Post Road, Cave Wall, Poet Lore, Blackbird, Hayden’s Ferry Review, and his fiction has appeared in Cimarron Review. Claudia Emerson selected his work for Best New... Read More

Colorado Poet Diana Khoi Nguyen Shortlisted for National Book Award

October 10th, 2018
Photo of author, Diana Khoi Kguyen

Ghost Of is Diana Khoi Nguyen’s remarkable award-winning poetry debut; this collection is an extensive, jarring rumination on the loss by suicide of her younger brother — the ghost and principal muse of the work. Nguyen’s voice is augmented by family photographs which combine with her poetry to produce innovative multi-media forms; these give a deconstructed dimensionality to her tender lamentations. The result is nothing short of ingenious and sincere vulnerability, a portal into deeply personal histories. Diana Khoi Nguyen’s work is assuredly appreciating a much larger audience thanks... Read More

Local Literary Magazine Series: Stain’d

August 2nd, 2018
Stain’d Literary and Arts Magazine

Denver’s literary scene is flourishing thanks to the passionate persistence of its communities.  This vibrant community enables a diverse number of voices and modes for expression.  One of them being Stain’d Literary and Arts Magazine, a venture that has grown considerably over the past three years with an active community of workshop participants, open mic readers and attendees; their magazines are now distributed and sold across the country! I got in touch with Delia, the co-founder of Stain’d, to get further insight into their story and values. Where did Stain’d get its origins? Who... Read More

Colorado Poets Series: Interview with Khadijah Queen

July 9th, 2018
Khadijah Queen

When I looked to a few people for recommendations for poet interviews, 100% of those I consulted recommended I get in touch with Khadijah Queen. I now understand why; aside from a stream of impressive credentials, her most recent work I’m So Fine: A List of Famous Men & What I Had On, is a feminist force simultaneously advocating as she narrates a series of autobiographical experiences with celebrity figures who exhibit toxic masculinity. These pages provide a crucial, unblinking look at how patriarchy affects society on a person-to-person level. Khadijah Queen kindly shared a few thoughts... Read More

Colorado Poet Series: Interview with Elizabeth Robinson

May 31st, 2018

As a part of the Local Emerging/Established Poet Interview Series, I am excited to introduce Elizabeth Robinson, a local established poet! For those of you who aren’t familiar with her name or work, here is Elizabeth Robinson’s poet biography: “ELIZABETH ROBINSON is the author of multiple collections of poetry, including the National Poetry Series winner, Pure Descent, and the Fence Modern Poets Prize winner, Apprehend. Her poetry has appeared in such anthologies as American Hybrid, The Norton Anthology of Postmodern American Poetry, and The Best American Poetry of 2002. She works as the... Read More

Colorado Poet Series: Interview with Diana Khoi Nguyen

May 11th, 2018

Diana Khoi Nguyen’s debut collection Ghost Of won the Omnidawn Open Book Contest and has been nominated for the National Book Award in poetry.  Diana and I met during a poetry workshop she taught at Lighthouse in Denver. After eight cozy, creative weeks in the Lighthouse parlor room were through, my view of poetics and aesthetics had shifted drastically. When Diana told us her work was due to release the following month, I pre-ordered the collection without a blink’s hesitation.  Ghost Of  is Diana Khoi Nguyen’s remarkable debut; this work is an extensive, jarring rumination on the... Read More

When on Colfax Ave., Have Some Ham on Rye

April 27th, 2018

Poetry and cinema collide at Ham on Rye, a monthly event series. I had the pleasure of interviewing Travis to get the inside scoop.    Ham on Rye normally occurs on the first Wednesday of each month (May 3rd) at 7:00 PM. Film screening at 8:30. The address is BarFly 4255 W. Colfax Denver, CO 80204 What should one expect to experience at Ham on Rye? Each reading begins with a song to set the mood, selected by the featured writer for the evening. I give a brief talk about poetry, the world, the intersection of poetry and film, or something relevant to the reader. I also have a 10,000 foot scroll... Read More

An Interview: Colorado Book Award Nominee Madelyn Garner

April 22nd, 2018

The Colorado Book Awards celebrate the immense literary successes of local authors. Madelyn is a Colorado Book Award nominee in the Poetry category. She will read alongside fellow nominees on April 27th at Denver’s BookBar beginning at 7PM.  Celebrate National Poetry month while showing support for local writers! Lucky for us, Madelyn Garner was emphatic to share a little bit about Hum of Our Blood, her debut poetry collection that was over twenty years in the making. About Madelyn Garner: Master teacher, editor, and poet, Madelyn Garner has degrees from the University of Denver and Mills College.... Read More