Larry Smith

Creative Nonfiction Writer, Fiction Writer, Poet

Author's Bio

Larry Smith grew up in the industrial Ohio River Valley and graduated from Muskingum College and Kent State University with a doctorate in literature. He has taught at Bowling Greeen State University's Firelands College for over 35 years and is the author of 8 books of poetry, 4 books of fiction, and two literary biographies on Kenneth Patchen and Lawrence Ferlinghetti. He has written film scripts for "James Wright's Ohio" and "Kenneth Patchen: An Art of Engagement" and is director of Bottom Dog Press/ Bird Dog Publishing in Ohio. He reviews for New York Journal of Books.

Publications & Prizes

Creative Nonfiction

Books:
Milldust and Roses (Ridgeway Press, 2005)
,
Kenneth Patchen: Rebel Poet in America (Bottom Dog Press, 2001)
Journals:
Heartlands Magazine
,
Utne Reader

Fiction

Books:
The Free Farm (Bottom Dog Press, 2011)
,
The Long River Home: A Novel (Bottom Dog Press, 2009)
,
Faces and Voices (Bird Dog Publishing, 2007)
Journals:
American Book Review
,
Parabola
,
Shambhala Sun

Poetry

Anthology:
Family Matters: Poems of Our Families (Bottom Dog Press, 2005)
Books:
Lake Winds: Poems (Bottom Dog Press, 2014)
,
Each Moment All: Poems (March Street Press, 2012)
,
A River Remains: Poems (WordTech Editions, 2006)
,
America Zen: A Gathering of Poets (Bottom Dog Press, 2005)
,
Steel Valley: Postcards and Letters (Pig Iron Press, 1996)
Prizes won: 

Ohioana Citation for Contribution to Poetry in Ohio; Ohio Arts Council Fellowship in Criticism;
Fullbright Lectureship to Italy in American Literature

Personal Favorites

What I'm reading now: 
The Speckled People: Memoirs by Hugo Hamilton, Carried Away by Alice Munro, Collected Poems by Denise Levertov, New and Selected Poems by Mary Oliver, Du Fu: A Life in Poetry by Du Fu (Tu Fu)

More Information

Gives readings: 
Yes
Travels for readings: 
Yes
Prefers to work with: 
Adults
Fluent in: 
English
Born in: 
Mingo Junction
Raised in: 
Mingo Junction, OH
Ohio
Please note: All information in the Directory is provided by the listed writers or their representatives.
Last update: Aug 02, 2018