Derek JG Williams

Poet, Spoken Word Artist

Germany

Email:

Website:

www.derekjgwilliams.com/

Author's Bio

Derek JG Williams (he/him) is an American writer and the author of Reading Water, winner of the 2023 Lightscatter Press Prize, and Poetry Is a Disease (Greying Ghost Press, 2022). His poems and prose are published in Pleiades, The Writer’s Chronicle, Salamander, Best New Poets, Prairie Schooner, DIAGRAM, and Bear Review, among others. His writing has also been featured on Boston’s MBTA trains as a part of the city’s Poetry on the T program. He earned a doctorate in English and creative writing from Ohio University and an MFA from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. He lives in Zurich with his family.

Education:

Ohio University PhD

University of Massachusetts, Boston MFA

Publications & Prizes

Poetry

Anthologies:

Plume Poetry 9 (Canisy Press, 2021)

Best New Poets 2013 Anthology (University of Virginia Press, 2013)

Journals:

Cider Press Review

Dialogist

Guesthouse

H_NGM_N

Nightjar Review

Redivider

Spillway

Spoon River Poetry Review

Storyscape

The Quotable

Vinyl

Spoken Word

Performances:

Breakwater Reading Series @ Brookline Booksmith (2014)

Mr. Hip Reading Series @ UForge Gallery (2014)

OVS Magazine AWP Reading @ Berkley College (2013)

Danny's Tavern (2012)

Lorem Ipsum Books (2012)

The Marliave (2012)

Blue (2011)

Emerson College (2011)

Lily Pad (2011)

Midway Cafe (2011)

Brandeis University (2010)

Cantab Lounge (2010)

Outpost 186 (2010)

Ralph's Rock Diner (2010)

The Stone Church (2010)

Nuyorican Poets Café (2009)

Brockton Poetry Series @ Fuller Craft Museum ()

Second Sunday Reading Series @ Eastern Point Lit House ()

Prizes won:

2020 - Finalist, Gold Wake Press’ Fall Manuscript Reading Period, Pavlov’s Dog

2018 - Nominee, Bread Loaf Writer’s Conference, Scholarship, Ohio University

2017 - Nominee, Best New Poets, “Keeping Time” & “King of the Minotaurs,1958” Ohio University

2016 - Winner, Brian Rattigan Creative Writing Scholarship

2016 - Winner, Mary Doyle Curran Creative Writing Scholarship

2016 - Nominee, St. Botolph Foundation Emerging Artists Award

2015 - Finalist, RHINO Magazine, Editor’s Prize

2015 - Nominee, Pushcart Prize, “Moving Targets,” Cider Press Review

2015 - Nominee, Pushcart Prize, “Cast Iron,” Prairie Schooner

2015 - Winner, Mary Doyle Curran Creative Writing Scholarship

2014 - Semi-finalist, YesYes Books Vinyl 45 Chapbook Contest

2014 - Nominee, Best of the Net, “Lake on Cream Hill,” The Cortland Review

2014 - Nominee, Pushcart Prize, “Pavlov’s Dog” New Ohio Review

2013 - Winner, Best New Poets, “Ode to the Tongue,” Knockout

2013 - Nominee, Best New Poets, “The Sleepers,” Bellingham Review

2013 - Finalist, Organic Weapon Arts David Blair Memorial Chapbook Prize

2012 - Runner up, Knockout Literary Magazine’s International Reginald Shepherd Memorial Poetry Prize

Watch

Derek JG Williams @ Blacksmith House Reading Series, Cambridge MA

More Information

Gives readings:

Yes

Travels for readings:

Yes

Identifies as:

English American

Prefers to work with:

Any

Fluent in:

English

Born in:

New Britain, CT, USA

Please note: All information in the Directory is provided by the listed writers or their representatives.

Last update: Oct 07, 2024