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

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

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

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

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

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

The Colorado Book Awards celebrate the immense literary successes of local authors. David Hicks is a Colorado Book Award – Fiction nominee. He will read alongside fellow nominees in various categories on April 27th at Denver’s BookBar beginning at 7PM. Show your support for these nominated Colorado greats. Lucky for us, David Hicks was happily willing to let me pick his brain a bit. About David Hicks: David is the author of the debut novel, White Plains, which was published by Conundrum Press in 2017. Excerpts from the novel have been published as short stories in Glimmer Train, Colorado... Read More

Poetry is so much more than a pastime; poetry is a necessary force–one of immense capability, a valuable emotional resource and vital political tool in this world. National Poetry Month is not just for poets and avid poet readers, but for all to recognize the beauty and importance of this art. Here are a few things you need to know to celebrate this month in all its glory: Celebrate at Mercury Cafe on April 14th! The biggest show in town celebrating the month’s festivities will culminate at, the legendary Mercury Cafe during the Colorado Poetry Rodeo (also known as the Podeo). This will... Read More

March 21st is World Poetry Day! According to the United Nations, who established this fantastic, necessary holiday in 1996, the celebration of World Poetry Day intends to, ​encourage a return to the oral tradition of poetry recitals, to ​promote the teaching of poetry, to restore a dialogue between ​poetry and the other arts such as theatre, dance, music and ​painting, and to support small publishers and create an ​attractive image of poetry in the media, so that the art of poetry ​will no longer be considered an outdated form of art, but one ​which enables society as a whole to... Read More