Mission(s) Accomplished

Alright, so, none of the post-MFA fellowships came through for me. But, I GOT A JOB!!!!

I'll be the Visiting Assistant Professor of Poetry at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

The interview process was no joke, but I learned a lot about myself and my teaching philosophy and I'm more confident than ever that teaching is the career I want to pursue while I poet.

There was a phone interview and then two days of campus interviewing which consisted of giving a lecture and a reading to the English department faculty followed by an intense Q&A and then a breakfast interview with the faculty the following morning.

Interviewing like that felt so much like dating! I was falling in love with each faculty member as different sets of them took me to different meals or walked me from one meeting to the next and I had to really hold out on loving them until they were ready to make a commitment to me. And they did. Right now, we're in a long distance relationship, but I'm working on moving closer. :)

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I defend my thesis tomorrow.

I graduate from my MFA program on May 22. I almost cry every time I read this blog's bio. In 2007 I didn't even know how I was going to get my Bachelor's degree. That was 4 years ago and in the fall I'll be Professor Gadson.

Dream BIG, whomever you are and from wherever you are reading this!

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My goal when I entered an MFA program was to come out with a first book manuscript.

Yesterday, I sent my manuscript out to three first book contests!

• Cave Canem Poetry Prize
• Agnes Lynch Starret Poetry Prize (University of Pittsburgh)
• Robert Dana Prize (Anhinga Press)

I Submit continues!

I am seriously leading a poem-led life. I thought it was possible, now I know.

Peace to your pieces in the piles, poets and other writers!