Derek JG Williams

Poet, Spoken Word Artist

Author's Bio

Derek JG Williams is an American poet and essayist. He is the author of Poetry Is a Disease, forthcoming from Greying Ghost Press. He holds a doctorate in English and Creative Writing from Ohio University, and an MFA from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Derek teaches writing courses online and develops curricula for GrubStreet. His poems and prose are published or forthcoming in Pleiades, DIAGRAM, Best New Poets, Plume Poetry 9, and on Boston's MBTA trains as a part of the city's Poetry on the T program. He lives in Germany with his wife and dog.

Publications & Prizes

Poetry

Anthologies:
Plume Poetry 9 (Canisy Press, 2021)
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Best New Poets 2013 Anthology (University of Virginia Press, 2013)
Journals: ,
Cider Press Review
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Dialogist
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Guesthouse
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H_NGM_N
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Nightjar Review
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Redivider
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Spillway
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Spoon River Poetry Review
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Storyscape
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The Quotable
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Spoken Word

Performances:
Breakwater Reading Series @ Brookline Booksmith (2014)
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Mr. Hip Reading Series @ UForge Gallery (2014)
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OVS Magazine AWP Reading @ Berkley College (2013)
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Danny's Tavern (2012)
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Lorem Ipsum Books (2012)
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The Marliave (2012)
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Blue (2011)
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Emerson College (2011)
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Lily Pad (2011)
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Midway Cafe (2011)
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Brandeis University (2010)
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Cantab Lounge (2010)
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Outpost 186 (2010)
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Ralph's Rock Diner (2010)
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The Stone Church (2010)
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Nuyorican Poets Café (2009)
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Brockton Poetry Series @ Fuller Craft Museum ()
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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

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: Apr 14, 2024