Jeannie E. Roberts

Jeannie E. Roberts has authored eight books, six poetry collections and two illustrated children's books. Her sixth poetry collection, The Ethereal Effect - A Collection of Villanelles, was released by Kelsay Books (2022); other poetry collections include As If Labyrinth - Pandemic Inspired Poems, a poetry chapbook (Kelsay Books, 2021), TheWingspan of Things, a poetry chapbook (Dancing Girl Press, 2017), Romp and Ceremony, a full-length poetry collection (Finishing Line Press, 2017), Beyond Bulrush, a full-length poetry collection (Lit Fest Press, 2015), and Nature of it All, a poetry chapbook (Finishing Line Press, 2013). Her second children's book, Rhyme the Roost! A Collection of Poems and Paintings for Children, was published by Daffydowndilly Press, an imprint of Kelsay Books (2019). She's also the author and illustrator of Let's Make Faces!, a children's book dedicated to her son (author-published, 2009). Her work appears in North American and international online magazines, print journals and anthologies. Born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she has lived in Mexico City and western Wisconsin. She holds a B.S. in secondary education and an M.A. in arts administration (arts and cultural management). She's a member of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets and the League of Minnesota Poets, serves as a poetry editor for the online literary magazine Halfway Down the Stairs, and is an Eric Hoffer and a two-time Best of the Net award nominee. In June of 2018, she attended the Cirenaica writers' retreat/workshop led by Holly J. Hughes, author, poet, professor, and naturalist. Writer-in-residence Hughes offered "Words To Hold A Glittering World: Crossing Genres Mindfully" as her working topic. Thanks to Hughes, it was at this retreat Roberts' inspiration for the villanelle form began. Lastly, when she’s not reading, writing or editing, you can find her drawing and painting or outdoors photographing her natural surroundings.