Biography
I'm a multi-genre writer, because really, each way of making things with words has its particular pleasures. I translate poems because I owe so much to other translators, other makers.
When I was nine or so, I decided that someday I'd write books witih magic in them; I'd already produced at least one bad poem back then. Later, when I discovered (by accident, as a means to travel) that I mightily enjoy teaching, my path was clear.
On to the future: if you're planning a writers' conference, or looking for someone to visit your university, book club, or some other group, I might be the one. I enjoy doing poetry and fiction readings, lectures, classroom visits, workshops, writer's talks. I've visited many campuses as well as book clubs, high schools, coffeehouses, libraries, and bookstores.
My poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction have been fed, deliciously, by my education (the undergrad degree in the study of religions, the master's in creative writing, the Ph.D. in comp lit, the language study in Taiwan and Japan as well as the U.S.). My interest in Buddhism dawned when I was in high school (in Germany, as it happened) and got serious a few years later; I still struggle with sloth and busy-tude.
I'm grateful for the grants and awards that let me do research travel, and getaways for writing-immersion time (at Byrdcliffe, on Norton Island with the Eastern Frontier Society, at Hambidge, the Millay Colony, Ragdale, VCCA). Also, you betcha, for post-doc work at places like UCLA, U. Michigan, the East-West Center of the University of Hawai'i, the Stanford Center in Taipei, and the Center for Hellenic Studies in DC.
Heartfelt thanks to all of them and to the NEA, Japan/US Friendship Commission, Virginia Foundation of Independent Colleges, Arts Council of the Blue Ridge, Bread Loaf, the International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts, the American Council of Learned Societies/Mellon Foundation, the Oberlin-Shansi Association, the Academy of American Poets, Hollins University, and a few more. Believe me, you made a difference.
I recently retired from Hollins, where I was the inaugural Jackson Professor of Creative Writing. These days, I'm happy to be living in Virginia's Roanoke Valley, just west of the Blue Ridge.
But I travel as much as I can: growing up as an Army brat will do that to you. My first poem was published in the Virginia Quarterly Review, back when I was living in Nagasaki, Japan. If you want a full list of publications, or other info, email me via the form on the Contact page.