Alexander Shalom Joseph

Poet, Fiction Writer

Author's Bio

Alexander Shalom Joseph is an award winning poet, fiction writer, playwright and teacher. He is the author of seven published books, most recently the novella, winner of the 2025 American Writing Awards Fiction Novelette Prize, The Clearing (Middle Creek Publishing,  2025) and the collection of poetic letters, Living Amends (Galileo Press, forthcoming 2026). He has an MFA in Creative Writing from the Jack Kerouac School and an MA in English Education. Alexander has taught Creative Writing in all manner of educational settings from MFA and undergraduate programs including Naropa University, Columbia University, at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, at the Lighthouse Writers Workshop, The Middle Creek Publishing Literary Festival and the Firehouse Art Center, as well as in Colorado Prisons through the Unbound Authors organization. He lives in Colorado and writes a weekly poem on Substack. You can find more information on his forthcoming books and work at www.alexandershalomjoseph.com

Publications & Prizes

Fiction

Books:
The Clearing (Middle Creek Publishing and Audio, 2025)
,
The Last of the Light (Orison Books, 2024)
,
American Wasteland (Owl Canyon Press, 2021)

Poetry

Books:
Broken Light in a Burning Wood (Middle Creek Publishing and Audio, 2023)
,
Our Mother, The Mountain (Middle Creek Publishing and Audio, 2022)
Chapbook:
Buttons and Bones (above/ground press, 2021)
Prizes won: 

2025 American Writing Awards Winner - Novelette Catagory - The Clearing

2024 Osprey Award for Fiction - The Clearing 

More Information

Gives readings: 
Yes
Travels for readings: 
Yes
Identifies as: 
Jewish
Born in: 
Gilpin County , CO
Colorado
Raised in: 
Gilpin County , CO
Colorado
Please note: All information in the Directory is provided by the listed writers or their representatives.
Last update: Nov 24, 2025