BOA Blog

In a thoughtful and probing interview, Rachel Cole Dalamangas asks Joanna Howard, author of On the Winding Stair, a broad range of questions that cover the details of her work, her writing process, and the inspiration that fuels her wild imagination: In addition to the beauty of ruin and decadence, I can't ignore the possibility of a social commentary that particularly reminds me of Virginia Woolf's association in A Room of One's Own with poverty and nourishment to the imagination (or lack thereof).  In a world and an economy where most of us have to spend most of our time...

[caption id="attachment_1150" align="aligncenter" width="265" caption="The Poetry Foundation's Whitman-Santa image"][/caption] Special occasions often draw new readers to poetry. There's just something about the perfectly placed poem that sets off an event and turns it into something truly unforgettable. So it was a great idea for the Poetry Foundation to post a feature on Christmas poems on their website. Let's hope they do this every year... but with BOA poems included! (-; [Christmas Poems]

On April 16th at 6:30 p.m. Keetje Kuipers was interviewed on The Moe Green Poetry Discussion with Rafael F.J. Alvarado & Brett-Candace. Keetje Kuipers Listen to hear Keetje speak about her new book, Beautiful in the Mouth, which won the A. Poulin, Jr. prize here at BOA. Keetje talks about the her writing experience and what it was like to publish her first book. Don't miss Keetje read a few poems from the book as well! Also, live on Friday, April 22nd, a rememberance of Lucille Clifton will take place on the Marc Steiner Show, broadcasting on WEAA in Baltimore,...

[caption id="attachment_350" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Ruth Lilly, 1915-2009"][/caption] BOA extends our sympathies to the family and friends of Ruth Lilly. She was one of the greatest poetry patrons our country has known, and her generosity touched BOA as well as everyone in poetry. In 2007, Lucille Clifton received the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize, one of the most prestigious awards given to American poets and one of the largest literary honors for work in the English language. The award was wonderful recognition for Lucille (she was also the first African American woman to receive the honor) and for BOA as well. The...