Derek JG Williams

Poet, Spoken Word Artist

Switzerland
CH

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 PleiadesThe Writer’s ChronicleSalamanderBest New PoetsPrairie SchoonerDIAGRAM, 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.

Publications & Prizes

Poetry

Anthologies:
Plume Poetry 9 (Canisy Press, 2021)
,
Best New Poets 2013 Anthology (University of Virginia Press, 2013)
Book:
Reading Water (Lightscatter Press, 2025)

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: 

Williams' debut collections of poems, Reading Water, was selected by Eduardo Corral as the winner of the 2023 Lightscatter Press Prize.

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: Jan 29, 2025