Erica Wright

A Review in Neon Magazine

Christopher Crawford's humbling review of Instructions for Killing the Jackal recently appeared in Neon. He begins, "Erica Wright is the poetry editor for Guernica magazine and in this capacity she comes into contact with a lot of fine contemporary European poetry. She may write using the vocabulary and diction of America but the stark poems [...] reflect the Central and Eastern European sensibility of the Polish or Slovenian poets in matter-of-fact phrasing of the surreal and a refusal to give concrete answers." You can continue reading HERE.

 

A New Review of Jackal

Nick Ripatrazone is a champion of small press titles, and I couldn't be more humbled by this review. He writes, "Instructions for Killing the Jackal might not actually be a manual for killing Canis aureus, but it could be a guidebook for poets hoping to write with originality and confidence." Read the full text in The Iowa Review Online, HERE.

 

Gratitude

I am not grateful for bronchitis, but I am grateful for cough syrup and Nancy Reddy's thoughtful review of Jackal, which appeared a few days ago in Devil's Lake. She calls the voice "nervy," which is my new favorite adjective. Reddy writes, "Leaving aside for a moment the old saying about judging books, the cover of Erica Wright's Instructions for Killing the Jackal provides a few tantalizing clues about the odd and beguiling poems that lie within." Click HERE to read the entire review.

 

The Webb School Chapel Talk

I'm on YouTube! Earlier this year, I gave a talk/reading at my high school. It was an amazing experience to be back in Bell Buckle for a couple of days. Here's proof that I didn't pass out like that one time in biology class dissecting frogs:

 

 

The Dzanc Sessions

I will be teaching a ten-week online poetry workshop starting in January! Check out the link and description:

Writing Poetry: An Introductory Workshop

In this ten-week course, we will discuss and practice craft elements such as imagery, line breaks, and form. You can expect to draft at least two poems, which will be mulled over by your classmates and me. If you have never taken a workshop before, don’t worry; you’ll get plenty of guidance on how to give and receive helpful feedback. Our learning will be supplemented by reading some of the best poets writing today such as Carolyn Forché, Jack Gilbert, and Joanie Mackowski as well as late-greats such as Julio Cortázar, Elizabeth Bishop, and Federico García Lorca. Hopefully you’ll find some new favorites along the way!

(There are a lot of great online courses available through the Dzanc sessions, so if this one doesn't float your boat, you might want to click on the link above anyway.)

 

Milk, Roses, Monica Ferrell, and Bluegrass

I will be reading this Saturday night (December 10th) at 8pm with the illustrious Monica Ferrell. Also on site, bluegrass band The Cunninghams! Bluegrass!

 

Animal Farm

On Thursday, November 10th, I will be part of the Animal Farm Reading Series along with Kio Stark, author of Follow Me Down. The series is held at the chic, lower east side locale Happy Ending. (The door is marked with a small "HE.") I hope to see you there!

Thursday, November 10th, 8pm

Happy Ending

302 Broome Street

New York, NY

(Typepad is doing that thing where it double-spaces, but instead of being frustrated, I'm enjoying the drama of the announcement. Read it in the movie-announcer voice. Nice, right?)

 

Reading at Marymount Manhattan College

Do you like free cookies? Do you like amazing poets like Robin Beth Schaer, Jerry Williams, and Adam Fitzgerald? Yes? Then you should come to Marymount's Creative Writing Faculty Reading on Tuesday, October 18th, 7pm, FREE, in the Peruggi Room. I will be reading with these lovely folks and eating some cookies.

 

InDigest Magazine Podcast

I recorded a podcast for the super cool InDigest Magazine, and you can reach it HERE. While you're there, check out the previous recordings by Brad Liening, Deb Olin Unferth, Darin Strauss, and other talented writers. I'm pleased as punch to be in this group.

Happy listening!

 

Book Launch in New York City

Hi everyone! If you are around, it would be great to see you at the launch for my debut, full-length collection. Here are the official details:

Join Guernica Magazine for a reading and reception to celebrate the publication of Erica Wright's poetry collection Instructions for Killing the Jackal (Black Lawrence Press). These poems traffic in mythmaking, using a combination of Southern folklore, urban legend, and ancient parallels. In advance praise of the book, Timothy Donnelly says, “In poem after poem, [Wright] sinks her heels into adversity, pulls back on its rope like a pro, and throws down in a language equal to the experience.”

Friday, October 7th, 7pm, FREE

Bluestockings Bookstore

172 Allen Street

New York, NY