Poet’s Bio: Ruth Ticktin coordinated international programs, advised and taught English in Washington, DC and Maryland since 1977. From Madison and Chicago, graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Ruth writes poetry and fiction. Always sharing stories, she is an author: Was, Am, Going; Recollections in Poetry & Flash (New Bay Books, 2022.) co-editor: Psalms for Contemplation (Poetica Publishing 2020.) co-author: What’s Ahead? (Pro Lingua Learning 2013.) contributor: Maryland Bards 2023, 2024 & Gathering (Local Gem Press.) BarBar; Literary Heist; Wild Word; Straylight & more. Deliah... Continue Reading
Deliah Lawrence
Poet’s Bio: Pat Valdata is a poet and novelist. Her poetry book about women aviation pioneers, Where No Man Can Touch, won the 2015 Donald Justice Poetry Prize. A revised edition of this book was published in June 2023 (Wind Canyon Books) and won third prize from the Delaware Press Association. Her poetry has appeared in anthologies and literary magazines including Ecotone, Ekphrastic Review, Italian Americana, Little Patuxent Review, North American Review, Passager, and Valparaiso Poetry Review. She has received three Individual Artist Awards in poetry from the Maryland State Arts Council,... Continue Reading
Poet’s Bio: Dr. Brittany Soul is a Las Vegas native and award-winning singer-songwriter/poet who has more than enough luster to shine even in the city of lights. Brittany Soul is a leading lady in the Spoken Word/Neo-Soul genres and often merges jazz, poetry, R&B and gospel. Ms. Soul is the true embodiment of an all-in-one artist. Brittany Soul is such a light in the artist-realm with experience throughout her career as a Drum majorette, flutist, author, choreographer, choir president, musical theater Lead and actress, curator, host, speaker and producer. Brittany, the soulstress, is no stranger... Continue Reading
Poet’s Bio: Alisa Howard, formerly known in the publishing world as An Howard and most recently rebranded as A. Howard, is the Owner of AHP Writing and Editing Co., previously recognized as An Howard Publishing, established in 2011. Howard boasts a diverse portfolio as a published author, with her poetry collection, “Whispers of Words Spoken,” along with her roles as a writer and editor. Howard’s writing journey began in childhood, journaling stories and poetry, which evolved into professional roles including as a Paralegal, drafting legal documents, and later in Public Health, writing... Continue Reading
Poet’s Bio: Jahi Minkah Trotter was born in Atlanta, GA, and moved to Alabama when he was six years old. He has been writing poetry since he was 11 years old. He has written two poetry books: It Was Already Written (2016) and Adapting To Life: Poems and Quotes by Jahi Minkah Trotter (2020). He developed a love for filmmaking while receiving his bachelor’s degree in social science. Jahi decided to continue his quest for filmmaking at Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta, GA. During his final two years at SCAD, Jahi was encouraged by his professors to go into acting while continuing... Continue Reading
Poet’s Bio: Margaret Beaver is an eighteen-year-old college freshman, mental health and LGBTQIA+ equality activist, and award-winning poet and novelist. She has been honored as a two-time consecutive Topical Winner of Live Poets Society of New Jersey publications, a recipient of the Readers’ Favorite Five-Star cover seal, and decorated with the Donna Lynn Quille Award for Best Advocacy Prose. Margaret is the founder of Margaret Beaver Books, a grassroots organization aspiring to aid the accessibility of treatment, education, and the arts. She writes nonfiction poetry collections and novels... Continue Reading
This is the first time I’m reading anything by Tony Dunbar and it won’t be the last. Although this is the sixth book in the Tubby Dubonnet series, I am already loving Tubby. So, let’s meet him. Tubby is a lawyer who has given up booze, looking for his pay day from prior clients, and is now embroiled in a doozy of a case while on the brink of a potential love interest. The doozy of a case involves Judge Al Hughes who calls Tubby because he is caught in a bind with District Attorney Marcus Dementhe who confronts him with dates, times, and places of having sex with a young lady (Sultana Patel).... Continue Reading
Hello book lovers! In celebration of Women’s History Month, I would like to present to you, novelist, poet, short story writer, and artist, Sandra Cisneros. She is a pivotal figure in Chicano literature and her work explores the formation of Chicano identity, the challenges of being caught between two cultures (Mexican and Anglo-American) and experiencing poverty. Her first novel, The House on Mango Street (1983) is a coming-of-age novel that has been translated worldwide and is taught in U.S. classrooms. She is also known for her short story collection, Woman Hollering Creek and Other Stories... Continue Reading
Hello book lovers! In celebration of Women’s History Month, I would like to present to you, poet, writer, and educator, Lucille Clifton. Born Thelma Lucille Sayles, in Depew, New York, she moved with her husband James Clifton and family to Baltimore, Maryland in 1967. In 1969, she published her first poetry collection, Good Times, that was listed by The New York Times as one of the year’s ten best books. Her collection of poems dealt with social, racial and political issues as well as her identity as a woman and as a poet. From 1971 to 1974, she was poet-in-residence at Coppin State University... Continue Reading
Hello book lovers! In celebration of Women’s History Month, I would like to present to you, author, journalist, Min Jin Lee. She is a Korean American author (former lawyer) who has written novels, short stories, and essays that have garnered praise and won several awards. Her debut novel, Free Food for Millionaires was published in 2007 and was named one of the Top 10 Novels by The Times of London, NPR’s Fresh Air, and USA Today; a notable novel by the San Francisco Chronicle; and a New York Times Editor’s Choice and other awards. In January 2021, it was announced that Lee and screenwriter... Continue Reading