Writer, Educator, and Storyteller
Excited that Prom Queens: Celebrating Prom Poems & Stories by Queens Writers is part of the NYC Poetry Festival on July 18 & 19 on Governors Island!
Grab your copy at the Poets of Queens book table and join us at New Women New Yorkers GI House on July 19, 1-3, for a free poetry workshop with the anthology editors.
July 19 is also the World Cup final and there is a big watch party on GI, so you can still watch after the workshop. Win, win!!
Each spring, I have the honor of working with seventh graders in NJ as part of a memoir-writing residency. Then, over the summer, I edit and publish an anthology of their life stories.
Touched to wake up this morning to student feedback about the impact of this incredible project. What a privilege to witness these young writers open up and be vulnerable on the page and with each other.
Here are some highlights!
Workshop feedback:
– The workshops and project overall helped me as a writer because it helped me experience and learn more about what it was like to write from first person. Ms. Fitzsimmons’ feedback was helpful because she helped me learn how to expand smaller moments and make them more meaningful. Looking back on my work, I like how descriptive I was in the key moments.
– The workshops gave me ideas on how to shape my memoir. All the feedback along the way helped my memoir not look choppy. I am proudest of my use of voice techniques.
– Ms. Fitz helped with her feedback and she allowed us to write stories with great pride. I am proud of the story I wrote about my life because it is one that I will look back at and laugh.
– The workshops helped me make my writing sound more creative and at a higher level. Her feedback helped me make my writing more detailed and showed me how to take out the unimportant parts. I’m the most proud of how I needed extra time on my writing, yet I was able to finish and still get a good grade.
Anthology feedback:
– I am planning on publishing. I like seeing that other people are going through the same things as me.
– I get to relate to my classmates and realize that all of us are human. By them sharing their experiences, I get to connect with them more.
– I feel publishing my work finalizes the whole writing process, and it is a very big accomplishment for a 13-year-old!
– I really loved reading the memoir books from past years. I even found my brother’s story and my next-door neighbor’s story too. It is fun to read all the different topics everyone wrote about.
Prom Queens: Celebrating Prom Poems & Stories by Queen Writers officially launches today!
We’re almost SOLD OUT for the May 8 Prom Queens: Celebrating Prom Poems & Stories by Queens Writers book launch! RSVP here.
Never fear, if we run out of book launch tickets, we have a bunch of other great events coming up, including this Saturday’s Indie Lit Fair, May 2, from 12noon to 6 pm in Washington Square Park South, between Sullivan and Thompson Streets.
Come visit Poets of Queens at Table 12B (with Pink Trees Press). Stop by, say hello to Olena Jennings (12-3) or ME (3-6), and check out Prom Queens and more books from Poets of Queens!
Presented by PEN America and the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP), with support from the New York State Council on the Arts.
Two weeks until the launch of the Prom Queens: Celebrating Prom Poems & Stories by Queens Writers anthology from Poets of Queens Press!
First join us for this free, pre-launch event at the Queens Public Library, Broadway branch this Saturday, 4/25, 2–4 pm, in celebration of National Poetry Month.
Open to writers of all levels. RSVP here.
Come celebrate the MAY 8 release of Prom Queens: Celebrating Prom Poems & Stories by Queens Writers from Poets of Queens Press! RSVP here.
Featuring:
– Paired contributor readings
– Prom attire is welcome but not required – wear what brings you joy!
– Light snacks and refreshments
– Fun surprises
Can’t make it? Pre-order your copy here.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of National Poetry Month!
Come celebrate with this free, generative workshop at the Queens Public Library, Broadway branch on Saturday, 4/25, from 2–4 pm inspired by the launch of the Prom Queens: Celebrating Prom Poems & Stories by Queens Writers anthology from Poets of Queens Press.
Open to writers of all levels. RSVP here.
Mark your calendars and register for these generative writing workshops that I’m thrilled to design and lead in partnership with Queens Memory and the Queens Public Library.
3/22 Queens & Me: Neighborhood Stories Beyond the Data at Culture Lab LIC
More Info & Register Here
4/25 Prom Queens: Poetry Workshop at Queens Public Library Broadway Branch
More Info & Register Here
Cover reveal! Check out the amazing artwork by A King McCarty for the forthcoming Prom Queens: Celebrating Prom Poems & Stories by Queens Writers anthology from Poets of Queens Press.
Launching May 8! Pre-order your copy here.
Lovely beginning of the year energy boost!
My memoir, After After Prom, is a finalist in Unleash Press’s 2025 Fall/Winter WIP Prize.
Thank you, Unleash Press, and congratulations to all the finalists!