LexPoMo Participants

Total poets:
142
Kat Gillespie
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Bio:
Kat is a poet, a librarian, and a huge weirdo.
Reason for signing up:
I need to write more, and this challenge always helps with that
Deanna Mascle
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Bio:
Newly retired National Writing Project teacher and active Rebel Cartographer
Reason for signing up:
Because June is coming!
Jamie Mann
Bio:
Lives in Winchester, KY with her husband and a small band of misfit furry pals.
Clinton W. Waters
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Bio:
Clinton W. Waters was born and raised in Bowling Green, KY. They hold a Bachelor’s in Creative Writing from WKU and is currently in the graduate program there. Their work has been featured in Still: The Journal, Untelling Magazine, and Testament: A Rural Anthology from Backwoods Literary Press.
A. G. Vanover
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Bio:
Chemist, amateur poet, and father of three. He writes about the beauty and the difficulties of existence.
Reason for signing up:
It’s such a fun challenge. Last year was my first year, I did all 30 days and it was difficult to keep up but incredibly rewarding.
Colette Crown
Bio:
Colette has participated in LexPoMo for several years. She has been inspired and empowered in the process. She lives in Lexington, but is often off on a travel adventure.
Reason for signing up:
I signed up because I can’t imagine June without LexPoMo.
Hannah E. Bernard
Bio:
Hannah is a native Lexingtonian who is inspired by resiliency, nature, and her neighbors. You can find her work in Friends of Friends Zine in Brooklyn and in the most recent publication of Pegasus.
Reason for signing up:
I’m hoping this helps me complete my morning pages.
Ani
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Bio:
Ani is slowly coming out of hibernation
Reason for signing up:
To feel the light on my skin once more
Ann Haney
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Bio:
Ann Naito Haney is a visual artist who loves drawing and painting. She also enjoys exploring imagery and ideas through writing.
Mary Knight
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Bio:
Mary is a writer living in Lexington with her husband, Jonathan, and their very old, very polite cat. Although she has written several novels, she considers poetry her native language.
Reason for signing up:
Because, after attending my first Poetry at the Table and a writing retreat with Leatha Kendrick, I wanted to be part of this community. Also, poet Mary Allen invited me.
Tabitha Dial
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Bio:
Tabitha Dial believes everyone can write.
She will perform at NYC Poetry Fest this July with Jersey City Writers.
She's the author of "Cheese Astrology: A Weekly Guide".
Reason for signing up:
Though I haven't lived in Kentucky for almost five years, I can't experience June without LexPoMo.
Our community feeds my imagination and challenges my skills!
Jazmine Opdycke
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Bio:
Jazmine Opdycke is an Appalachian poet from McKee, Kentucky whose work explores girlhood, grief, faith, inheritance, and the opioid epidemic in Appalachia. Rooted in Eastern Kentucky, her poetry examines complicated relationships, survival, and the emotional landscape of rural poverty and addiction. Her work has appeared in Three Line Poetry #54, Inscape (2022-2026), and Eber & Wein’s Imagination and Best Poets of 2024. She completed the 2025 Poetry Gauntlet through the Carnegie Center and has received first place in poetry for Inscape three times. She is currently working on her first collection of poems.
Reason for signing up:
I’m signing up for LexPoMo because poetry has helped me make sense of grief, addiction, faith, and growing up in Appalachia. I want to continue growing within a literary community that values honest storytelling. Writing alongside others pushes me towards accountability and allows me to take creative risks. I’m especially excited to connect with other creatives, support one another, and read some new writing during LexPoMo!
Mary Allen
Bio:
Mary Allen, who lives in Lexington, is a poet and word nerd. She reads widely in several genres and spends too much time solving crosswords and Sudoku.
Reason for signing up:
June wouldn't be June without LexPoMo!
Sarah Josephine Pennington
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Bio:
Sarah Josephine Pennington is a queer artist and writer currently living in South Louisville.
Yawny
Bio:
I've always been into writing ever since I was a young child, I've a retired from Education which I've been in for nearly 25-30 years.
Reason for signing up:
Since I've retired, I felt it was something I'd like to get back into and meet some new people and hopefully make new friends.
Autumn Cook
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Bio:
Autumn keeps coming back year after year, despite her fear of running out of things to write about. Somehow, she never does.
Katrina Rolfsen
Bio:
Storyteller-scientist, tree hugger, cat lady, (Disney) world traveler, Marvel fan
Reason for signing up:
Tradition!
Ella Helmuth
Bio:
Ella is an attorney in Lexington. More importantly, Ella has been a poet for most of her life. She is delighted to be back for her third (nonsequential) year of LexPoMo.
Reason for signing up:
It's time to be a writer again.
Jennifer Burchett
Bio:
Jennifer Burchett writes fiction, creates recipes, and makes art in Lexington, Kentucky.
Reason for signing up:
Writing poetry is a good stretch for my fiction writers brain, so I’m trying this yet again.
Jerry Hicks
Bio:
Jerry is a farmer and writer in Fleming County, Ky.
Reason for signing up:
I participated in LexPoMo last year and really enjoyed it. The need to write every day keeps me thinking of new things to write and is a great encouragement.
RUDY THOMAS
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Bio:
Rudy Thomas is a poet, novelist, and editor/publisher. He has published worldwide and has 35 books in print.
Reason for signing up:
I enjoy the month of June better if I am well and writing.
victoria cruz-falk
Bio:
victoria cruz-falk is a woman and a poet. The work she is most proud of is Campus Candor: Students’ Stories Unmasked. Victoria resides in Lexington, Kentucky where she works to infuse empathy and whimsy into local government. She is a founding member of the KY Climate Choir.
Reason for signing up:
I want to read words written by humans.
Kat Briggs
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Bio:
Kat is a 7th grade science teacher with a passion for noticing.
Reason for signing up:
I signed up because I want to continue to inspire and be inspired by this incredible community of writers in Lexington.
Evelyn Paige
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Bio:
Freshly graduated from Georgetown College with a Bachelor’s in Psychology, Evelyn is using this summer to reconnect with her roots.
Reason for signing up:
My queen, Sonya invited me!
suz
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Bio:
I teach writing. I learn writing.
Reason for signing up:
I crave connection, beauty, and hope.
Maria Nichols
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Bio:
Maria Nichols strives to find the good in difficult situations, enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, and looks to God for guidance.
Reason for signing up:
I have friends who have done this for years, so I've been aware of Lexpomo. I'm looking forward to challenging myself and maybe growing a little as I stretch myself in this poetry challenge.
l. Sipe
Bio:
Pacific Northwest native L. does not make a living from writing or the teaching of writing. Music, poetry, and writing, like breathing, are everyday practices. Two cats are family.
Reason for signing up:
While not identifying as poet or writer, L. feels compelled to write because it opens doors, opens eyes, opens hearts.
Mary Potts
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Bio:
Mary is a native to Lexington who is finally settling in with herself and appreciating the beautiful community she has surrounded herself with. She is currently navigating motherhood of a preteen girl while balancing a social work career and coaching. She's ready to "write about it."
Reason for signing up:
LOVE this community. Can't wait to do it again!
Alex Simand
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Bio:

Alex Simand lives and works in San Francisco, though he was born in Russia and
grew up in Toronto, which means he exists in a state
of constant cultural confusion.
He holds an MFA from
Antioch University Los Angeles.
Reason for signing up:
Revisiting after a few years away! Excited to participate again :)
Jerielle
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Bio:
Jerielle is a spiritual person because she has been through hell. Walking the way of the heart has been their only salvation and will be the only meaning in their existence. It has always been this way. It is no wonder then that their name means "An arrow shot by God"
Reason for signing up:
I look forward to this all year. It has been life changing for me. I so enjoy the people I have met and continue to meet who are now great friends. I love seeing what those people write and meeting others. Really there is nothing but sheer joy involved.
Sharon Waters
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Bio:
Sharon Waters holds an MFA in Creative Writing from West Virginia Wesleyan College. She has been published in a number of anthologies and journals. She lives in Beckley, WV.
Reason for signing up:
It sounded like great fun and grants me the opportunity to connect with yet another community of writers.
Brother Buck Markowitz
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Bio:
Harold Sherman is a freelance musician and has been for most of his adult life. He is also a Donovan Scholar at UK, having previously received his MM in Composition in 1999. He once taught piano lessons to rising standup comic star Ariel Elias and recorded a Christmas CD with Laura Bell Bundy. He did not, however, invent the internet--nor has he ever dated Taylor Swift.
Reason for signing up:
Heard about it at Carnegie Center Writing Practice.
ing
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Bio:
writing poems for 2026
N. D
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Bio:
Back for another year, N is an Irish poet that loves all things language. She hopes to inspire and encourage other creatives with her work
Reason for signing up:
Lexpomo is becoming a tradition near and dear to my heart. Forever grateful to have found a place to return to
PBSartist
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Bio:
Me trying to use words so that the colors make some sense.
Reason for signing up:
Because poetry; duh! :)
Lillian Bramble
Bio:
lillian bramble has something up their sleeve…
S.L.Bradley
Bio:
Shari moved to Kentucky to start over and with this new start she found a love of writing.
Reason for signing up:
to challenge myself to focus more on what I enjoy and worry less about things out of my control
Kel Proctor
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Bio:
Kel Proctor holds a BA in English from Bellarmine University and works at Light of Chance, a Kentucky non-profit. They spend their weekends with their cats, Quentin and Caddy.
Reason for signing up:
I'm hoping this year's challenge will help me work through my burnout and get me writing semi-regularly again!
Lorie Conley
Bio:
Lorie Conley writes from the hills of Eastern Kentucky, where the outdoors never fails to inspire.
Reason for signing up:
I enjoy the challenge of writing a poem every day. I’ve never been able to write every day, but I write more each year I participate.
Patti Miller
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Bio:
Patti Miller lives with her husband and a feral cat in Central Kentucky. Her chapbook, A Crooked Spoon, will be available in October of this year.
Reason for signing up:
I love this writing community.
Mickey Higginbotham
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Bio:
Atlanta native Mickey Higginbotham has called Louisville home for two decades. She’s been published in newspapers nationwide, and has a memoir forthcoming. Poetry is her Pilates.
Reason for signing up:
1. Seeking poetry community.
2. My Hindman Settlement School buddies invited me.
3. Need more creative challenges in my life.
J.T. Williamson
Bio:
A new writer learning the craft.
Reason for signing up:
Thought it sounded fun!
Allisa Ragan Farthing
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Bio:
Lisa was an Army brat and an Air Force spouse and has lived in many places. She began writing in 2024 with a focus on family and nature.
Reason for signing up:
I want to be challenged to try new techniques and maybe learn something along the way.
Lee Chottiner
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Bio:
Lee Chottiner's first collection of poems, "Talking to Irwin," published by Kelsay Books, came out in April. His work has also appeared in several print and digital publications.
Reason for signing up:
Hopefully, I'll learn something. Hopefully, I'll write something worth reading.
Meredith McCurry
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Bio:
Meredith loves writing poems about family.
Reason for signing up:
Because I love Christopher McCurry!
Kathy Rueve
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Bio:
Practicing and participating in the art and skill of crafting poetry makes my heart sing.
Reason for signing up:
I am excited to take on the 2026 LexPoMo challenge
EDL
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Bio:
Eirill DeLonge (EDL) is a multimedia artist originally from Ramberg in Lofoten, in the Arctic region of Nordland, northern Norway.
EDL creates across different creative fields: photography, photojournalism, videography, editorial writing, creative writing, modeling, and stand-up. This variety comes from years of exploring a wide range of creative practices.
EDL’s style is defined by edge, attitude, and bluntness. From the start, there was no intention to comfort the audience. With a provocative nature, the work challenges people to confront the raw, unfiltered realities of life.
Wayne Willis
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Bio:
Wayne is a retired professor of education, an artist, and an aspiring poet, He and Melinda will celebrate their 50th anniversary this year.
Reason for signing up:
Third time - too fun to miss.
Nancy Gourde
Bio:
A retired teacher and sometimes poet living both large and small
Reason for signing up:
a repeated experience for me first mentioned by the writing group Rebel Cartographers
Mike Wilson
Bio:
Mike's work has appeared in many literary magazines, two poetry collections, and a debut novel, Food Court.
He lives in Lexington KY
Reason for signing up:
To prompt me to write and to read what my friends are writing
Courtney Music-Johnson
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Bio:
Courtney Music-Johnson lives and writes in Morehead, Kentucky. This is a special tradition, she enjoys with her husband.
Reason for signing up:
This is a yearly tradition!
Lincoln Oliphant
Bio:
Lincoln is a graduate student at DePaul University, where he studies Creative Writing and Publishing. When not writing, he enjoys spending time with his two cats and beautiful wife.
Reason for signing up:
I thought it would be a great experience and opportunity to dive deeper into my poetry.
Samantha Renee Ratcliffe
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Bio:
Samantha Renee Ratcliffe is a recent graduate of the University of Kentucky’s MFA program. She’s the founder of Hill Writers Collective. Her work is forthcoming in YNST, QueerKentucky, the Argyle Magazine, Vagabond City Lit, The Uncommon GRACkle, among others. Originally from Pikeville, Kentucky, she now resides in Louisville, KY with her husband and three fat cats. Find out more at SamanthaRatcliffe.com
Reason for signing up:
Best part of the year.
Joy Kreves
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Bio:
Joy Kreves is a visual artist/poet in Ewing, NJ. She published her 2nd chapbook, The Little Book of Love & Death, this year, has been in US1Worksheets, NewVerseNews, Pinky Thinker, Burningwood.
Reason for signing up:
Why sign up for poetry? What could we possibly need more of these days?
Madison Miller
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Bio:
Madison is a feral dog parent, improviser, and therapist. They’re forever trying to get their plants to stay alive, their car to park between the lines, and their partner to adopt a 3rd dog. They write sometimes.
Reason for signing up:
Somehow it’s just that time again.
Renee Rigdon
Bio:
Renée Rigdon is here, queer,
and ready (damn near). They are the author of Plant Daddy, published in 2025 by Accents Publishing.
Reason for signing up:
Ya gotta make stuff with the brain trash or your spirit becomes a landfill.
Lou
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Bio:
Lou is 22 and will always take up for killer whales.
Reason for signing up:
To write!
River
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Bio:
River likes coffee ice cream, prayers, music videos, and sea lions.
Website:
Tom C. Hunley
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Bio:
Tom C. Hunley is the author of eight full-length poetry collections,
eight chapbooks, two textbooks, and two produced films. He and his wife of
thirty years have four amazing kids. Right or wrong, he believes he has
impeccable taste when it comes to literature, film, music, and the one
woman who has his whole heart. He seriously lacks inner resources, and
he’s almost certain that his liver is diseased. He despises generative AI,
groupthink, the tortured language of propaganda, big government, and
bloated bureaucracies, especially in universities. He has published poems
and stories in journals with names beginning with every letter of the
alphabet, from Atlanta Review to Zone 3. He is currently working on a novel
and a memoir.
Reason for signing up:
I look forward to working with this community every year. One of the highlights of my year.
Melissa Helton
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Bio:
Melissa Jørgenrud Helton’s collections include A Middle-Aged Woman Rages, Hewn, and Inertia: A Study. She’s editor of Troublesome Rising: A Thousand-Year Flood in Eastern Kentucky and the magazine Untelling.
Reason for signing up:
Because more poetry is always a good thing.
Joseph Allen Nichols
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Bio:
Joseph Allen Nichols is a poet, author, and lyric essayist who splits his time between his hometown of Frankfort, KY and his church in Lima, OH. Writing is both what feeds his Spirit and how He endeavors to feed beauty back into this world.
Reason for signing up:
LexPoMo is the rest and feast before the adventure of the rest of the year. And I love this community.
Spitfire
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Bio:
Spitfire is a poet, screenwriter and filmmaker. Currently creating the Dance Film, To Dance With Trees which will include poetry voiceover about the trees of Central Park in NYC.
Reason for signing up:
To challenge myself.
Abby Kane
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Bio:
Abby Kane is a writer with too many ideas in her head and too little time on her hands.
Reason for signing up:
Always looking for a reason to write more :)
Taylor
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Bio:
Taylor is a freshly graduated high school student planning to study social work at University in the fall. She enjoys writing, photography, and drawing.
Reason for signing up:
To have motivation to write!
Lisa M.
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Bio:
Lisa M. Miller is fun! She's also a grandma and loves popular grandma style handicrafts including sewing, gardening and profanity collage. Kentucky trees and nature trails are her happiest places to be. @LisaMillerBeautifulDay
Reason for signing up:
I love our Poetry community!
Austin Rathbone
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Bio:
Austin lives in Lexington with his sweet family and cats. Poetry continues to be a foreign concept to him, but one that he's constantly attracted to nonetheless.
Pam Campbell
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Bio:
Pam Campbell was born in the Southern Appalachians (Alabama) reared in the Central Appalachians (Kentucky and Virginia). Wherever she roams, these mountians are the meniscus that hold her together.
Reason for signing up:
Love this community of writers!
Teagan Feezor
Bio:
Teagan is a college student, and they are majoring in psychology. Besides writing poetry, they enjoy knitting, reading, and both coaching and playing volleyball!
Reason for signing up:
I want to challenge myself to write more poetry!
Ginny Whitehouse
Bio:
Ginny Whitehouse, Ph.D., is director of the ICCA School of Communication and a professor of multimedia journalism at Eastern Kentucky University.
Reason for signing up:
Poetry is fun.
Shelda
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Bio:
Shelda Hale is a Kentucky native who writes poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Her poetry has appeared in Coming of Age: Writing & Art by Kentucky Women over 60 (Vol. 1 and 2), The Heartland Review, and The Last Stanza Poetry Journal. Shelda has conducted workshops such as Dream Journaling for Writers and Artists, and Words, Season and Place in Poetry. She enjoys bird watching, photography, bookmaking, and preparing international cuisine for family and friends!
Reason for signing up:
The writing community I discover here is very inspirational. Poets of all ages, backgrounds, and themes fascinate me. I appreciate the feedback from them and how we support each other. Go 2026!
Lauren Myfelt
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Bio:
Lauren is starting over (again)! She is excited to see where life goes.
Reason for signing up:
I miss poems :)
Katelyn Donley Weldon
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Bio:
Katelyn is a 3rd year medical student in Northern Kentucky currently interested in pediatrics. She received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Thomas More University with a minor in Spanish and truly enjoys poetry. She also enjoys teaching dance to her students and spending time with those she loves.
Reason for signing up:
Brings me so much joy each year and I love seeing work by familiar faces!
Reid Goins
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Bio:
I am from Frankfort & now live in Lexington. I play in local band Naptaker. and I have a solo project now also: R E I D on all streaming platforms. Oh also I like to write poetry sometimes :-)
Hat
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Bio:
“Struggles not a team sport
You’re not afforded recourse”
-earl sweatshirt
Reason for signing up:
It’s that time of year
luv jōnz
Bio:
Poet trying to find her way back to the page to write her way through this all of this. Author of Black Girl at the Intersection. Published by Accents Publishing.
Reason for signing up:
For the medicine.
Sylvia Purvis
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Bio:
Sylvia is a reader, a writer, and a cat mom
Reason for signing up:
Why not?
Bethany Robinson
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Bio:
Beth is a queer Appalachian from Eastern Kentucky. She is a lover of nature and yoga, and has been with LexPOMO since 2020.
Reason for signing up:
Fun little challenge each year
Hope Wilder
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Bio:
Hope is a Kentucky poet, social worker, and counseling graduate student whose writing explores motherhood, trauma, healing, identity, and resilience.
Reason for signing up:
Poetry has always been the place where Hope makes sense of the things that are difficult to carry out loud. She signed up for Lexington Poetry Month to connect with other writers, share pieces rooted in vulnerability and healing, and continue growing her voice within a creative community. Much of her work explores womanhood, motherhood, trauma, recovery, identity, and the complicated process of becoming. As both a social worker and future counselor, she is deeply interested in the ways storytelling can create connection, challenge shame, and help people feel less alone.
Ash Sauer
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Bio:
Ash Sauer is a sophomore in the SCAPA literary arts program at Lafayette High School. They enjoy writing poetry and personal essays about music, languages, and pop culture. When they’re not writing you’ll find them at a concert, baking, at marching band practice, or reading books.
Christopher McCurry
Bio:
Christopher McCurry writes love poems for his wife.
Reason for signing up:
Because I love poetry.
Diana Worthington
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Bio:
A Queer Sonoran-Bluegrass Poet, Actor, Multimedia Artist, and community broadcaster who grew up in Lexington and Frankfort, KY. Currently residing in Tucson, AZ she enjoys spending time with her partner and their two lovely pets, photography, and talking about the weather.
Instagram: @dyana_tea
Bluesky: @whirlybirdphotos.bsky.social
Reason for signing up:
LexPoMo is one of the ways I stay connected to my roots and this amazing community of writers.
Patrick Johnson
Philip Corley
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Bio:
Philip Corley is a Lexington native participating in his eleventh Poetry Month, mostly while sitting underneath his favorite tree.
Reason for signing up:
I can no longer imagine a June that doesn't involve lots and lots and lots of poetry.
Ryan Oppegard
Bio:
Father to a beautiful son; Partner to a loving woman; Keeper of dogs and cats;
Devourer of bacon.
Reason for signing up:
To celebrate the laughs and embrace the tears of a challenging and rewarding life.
Fanny Hubart-Salmon
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Bio:
A Kentuckian from Normandy… A horse racing reporter, a filmmaker and community archivist exploring complex chapters of our shared history.
Reason for signing up:
To read (mostly) and share (as often as possible) poetry in this incredibly creative and inspiring community.
Tamtunes
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Bio:
Tamara McNabb is a person in recovery. She works at Eastern State Hospital as a Certified Peer Support Specialist. The job, her artwork, her writing, and her beloved Shih Tzu Buddy, are among her greatest joys!
Reason for signing up:
I was referred by my friend Katie at work. Im not very prolific but I would like to try to produce more. Having a forum for my writings could prove to be very inspiring!
Francesca Annoni
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Bio:
Francesca Annoni is an art historian, filmmaker, and actor. In poetry, she dabbles.
Reason for signing up:
I started doing this in high school, why stop now?
Dillon Hume
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Bio:
for peace, not war
Sylvia Ahrens
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Bio:
Sylvia Ahrens has published poetry books and cozy mysteries. She writes under Allison Thorpe.
Reason for signing up:
inspiration
Katerina Stoykova
Bio:
A Bulgarian from Kentucky.
Reason for signing up:
Hoping to write a few poems.
Marianne Peel
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Bio:
Marianne is nurturing her own creative spirit after teaching English for 32 years. She has three collections of poetry just waiting for you to read: No distance Between Us, Singing is Praying Twice, and Untamed Arabesque.
Reason for signing up:
To read a whole bunch of fabulous poets all month!!❤️❤️❤️❤️
Karen George
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Bio:
30-word:
Karen George’s (Florence, KY) most recent books are the poetry collection Caught in the Trembling Net (Kelsay Books, 2024), and the fiction collection How We Fracture (Minerva Rising Press, 2024).
Reason for signing up:
Because it’s inspiring to read the other LEXPOMO poems, and I’ve been writing a poem-a-day in June since the beginning.
Katie
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Bio:
Katie is a poet, a mother, wife, musician, and many other things. Her youngest son took his own life, which plunged her into grief and the grief expressed itself many ways, including in her poetry.
Reason for signing up:
Because I have poetry bouncing around in my head begging to be written.
Elizabeth Roach-Smith
Bio:
Elizabeth Roach-Smith lives in Louisville, Kentucky with her family and Great Pyrenees, where she works in communications and spins tales. In addition to poetry, her published work includes freelance nonfiction articles about food
and bourbon, and her appreciation for good food often spills into her work. She holds a degree in English from Furman University and a graduate certificate in publishing from Columbia University.
Reason for signing up:
For accountability & to support my regular writing practice. Plus the community!
Winter Dawn Burns
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Bio:
Winter is Haiku. Nature moves her words along. She trails the still crumbs.
Reason for signing up:
The adventure of writing poetry, daily, is a noble pursuit.
Eric W. Willis
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Bio:
Eric W. Willis lives and works in Lexington, Kentucky with two feisty cats and one amazing fellow human. He is a graduate of the Bluegrass Writers Studio.
Reason for signing up:
Because the best time to start the next poem is now!
Dennis Preston
Bio:
Dennis J. Preston lives in Owensboro, Kentucky. He taught elementary school language arts for twenty-five years, but now likes being semi-retired. He is a pastor, and enjoys reading, writing, traveling, and spending time with his family. He has published nine books of poetry including Water for the Withered Fig.
Reason for signing up:
I work better with a challenge.
Eric Morris
Bio:
Eric Morris is a writer who has found his love for writing poetry over the last few years via his efforts with students at Morehead State University, where he teaches writing and other English classes.
Reason for signing up:
I signed up to honor a colleague who will soon be enjoying her own retirement from many years of teaching writing!
Sarah McGinnis
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Bio:
Sarah is a lover of words in all their varied forms. From a thoughtful email to an evocative poem, Sarah believes words are a wellspring of life.
Reason for signing up:
For the love of words!
Goldie
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Bio:
Wallowed-out nemean hide of the cub of the Nothing incensed to life by a sneeze.
Human theremin transposing the movements of hummingbirds and oak leaves into whatever key most dog whistles muddle in.
Bowling ball esteem bored into a crack in the grin of the Rio Grande gorge.
Dangling modifier.
Moon in Sagittarius. Rain clown.
Bill Brymer
Bio:
Writer and photographer from Louisville, KY back for another round.
Emily Brown
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Bio:
Emily is completing her bachelor's degree in psychology and philosophy at Thomas More University. This summer, she's spending her time writing, after running and work, of course!
Reason for signing up:
You know what they say: the third time's the charm!
damwrite
Bio:
Born and raised in Miami, FL, Diego Alcaraz-Monje is an 18 year old poet and journalist. Diego currently studies Creative Writing and Journalism at Western Kentucky University, and serves as assistant content editor for the WKU College Heights Herald. He was awarded the title of Lexington Youth Poet Laureate in 2025 and is a Scholastics Art and Writing Awards national American Voices gold medalist. When not writing, Diego likes to play pool and listen to goth music.
R.J. Gordon
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Bio:
R.J. Gordon is a professor of religion, a (very rusty) classical violinist, and an avid boardgamer. From 2019-2025 she was an active member of the Black on Black Rhyme Tallahassee poetry community, and together they wrote, produced, and released the spoken word album Rebel Dreams in the summer of 2020. She now reads and writes and performs with the folks of Poetry at the /'tāb(ə)l/ in Lexington, KY.
Reason for signing up:
Looking for pressure to put pen to page!
Carole Johnston
Bio:
Carole Johnston writes about her obsessions.
Reason for signing up:
I love the diversity of styles and genres in this amazing community of poets. June is always interesting.
Ali
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Bio:
upward not northward
Sonya Pavona
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Bio:
Sonya is a poet and writer from Lexington, Kentucky. She has a bachelor’s in English Literature from Georgetown College and will start her Master’s at the University of Louisville in the fall.
Reason for signing up:
It’s June!
stefani heller
John W. McCauley
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Bio:
John W. McCauley is an award-winning author, who was recognized twice for his book, Kentucky Is My Home: A Journey into the Life of Jesse Hilton Stuart. The book climbed to #1 on the Jesse Stuart Foundation best-seller list, and he participated in the 2025 Kentucky Book Festival. His recently released book, Harvest of Life, has reached #2 on the JSF best-seller list. He is a contributing author to Hidden Heroes of Greenup County, and his essays and poetry have been published in anthologies, literary journals, magazines, and newspapers. John retired from a career in private industry and public service that included an appointment by President Barack Obama. In his spare time, he is learning to play a Kentucky handcrafted Appalachian dulcimer. John and his wife Rebecca spend time between homes in Kentucky's Appalachian and Bluegrass regions.
Reason for signing up:
It's a great experience to read the poetry and network with such talented writers.
Rebecca Richards
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Bio:
As a life long lover of reading and writing, Rebecca is enjoying exploring poetry in her more creative "third act".
Reason for signing up:
I love the challenge of creating poetry every day for a month, with the potential of having my work published.
SMurrey
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Bio:
Shauna Murrey has taught middle school Language Arts for twenty-six years and loves helping kids be brave with their writing, so now she has to be brave with her own writing. An avid reader and a proud aunt, she finds a lot of her inspiration in the classroom, in faith, and at home with family. Shauna lives in Southeastern Kentucky, where she is probably grading papers, reading a book, or working on her next poem, but definitely not folding laundry
Reason for signing up:
I tell my kids to take chances, therefore so must I.
Jeremy Stacy
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Bio:
Jeremy is an Eastern Kentucky writer now living in Nicholasville. His work maps the emotional and geological forces that shape a life, exploring endurance, fracture, and the Appalachian landscapes that raised him.
Reason for signing up:
I love LEXPOMO!
Austin Green
Bio:
Pike County Native, 2021 University of Pikeville
Carrie Elam Spillman
Bio:
Carrie Elam Spillman is juggling both greatness and madness.
Reason for signing up:
For the love of the game.
Louise
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Bio:
Louise is a free-roaming, tree-hugging, ocean loving Californian, living in Kentucky.
Reason for signing up:
I can't stop myself.
Alissa Sammarco
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Reason for signing up:
I retrieved the gauntlet from where you threw it. So here's to another June marathon.
Samantha Arthurs
Yersinia Pestis
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Bio:
Yersinia enjoys long walks on the beach, sardonic humor, and the occasional bout of poetry.
Reason for signing up:
6 straight years enlisting against Summer's seasonal affective disorder
L. Coyne
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Bio:
L. Coyne is a full-time historian, part-time poet who enjoys experimenting with different styles and forms.
Reason for signing up:
I had fun last year and wanted to try again!
Christina Myers
Catherine Perkins
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Bio:
Catherine Perkins, Lexington, KY resident, semi-retired Thoroughbred owner and trainer, spends almost all her awake time writing, playing games on her phone, doing PT exercises and going to the bathroom. She has a part-time gig operating zero-turn mowers for a local farm.
Catherine is the author of one published poetry collection, "Udder Uproar," Accents Publishing, 2024.
Reason for signing up:
I enjoy being part of the LexPoMo community. They inspire my creativity.
Toni Menk
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Bio:
Toni is a poet/Lampwork artist who lives in rural Kentucky. She has a BA in Anthropology from the University of Kentucky and a MFA in Creative Writing from Spalding University. She is a member of the Kentucky Guild of Artist and Craftsmen and the Sheltowee Artisans. When she is not in her studio playing with fire and glass, Toni is avoiding housework, trying to write a poem, mowing, or hauling wood.
Reason for signing up:
Kim Shaver
Christina McCleanhan
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Bio:
Christina McCleanhan, born on July 4th, was raised between the hills of eastern Kentucky and the riverbanks of the mighty Ohio. She completed her undergraduate degree at Transylvania University and received an MFA in English and Creative Writing from Mills College in Oakland, California. She is a first-generation college graduate. As an artist, Christina has learned that the rhythm of humanity offers itself to those who find peace in crowded rooms and resilience in empty hallways. Her current writing explores the delicate privilege of balancing grief and joy. She is a writer, performer, and adjunct college instructor.
Reason for signing up:
Poetry is the structure I drape most of my feelings on, and I am usually more creative when I consistently practice the craft. This summer is going to be full of acting, writing, and self-care, so why not jump back on the Poetry Party Bus?
Bronson O'Quinn
Bio:
Bronson O’Quinn is a software developer who writes video game poems, lefty pop culture essays, & cross-genre fiction, often satirical, but always with empathy.
Reason for signing up:
The same reason we do anything, Pinky...
Website:
Linda Bryant-Davis
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Bio:
Linda Bryant-Davis is devoted to poetry. Her latest book, Ghost Dancing with Music, was published by Act of Power Press in 2025.
She has an MFA in poetry from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Bryant-Davis publishes The Bell, an online literary magazine.
Reason for signing up:
When I moved to Kentucky in 2019 the first thing I did was sign up for LexPoMo. The tradition continues!
Coleman Davis
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Bio:
Coleman Davis is the resident forest elf at Owsley Fork Writers Sanctuary.
Reason for signing up:
lexPoMo in June~ thirty days, thirty poems, no problem ....lol
H.A.
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Bio:
H.A. is a teacher, writer, and adventurer. She believes we are all made of stories and she is honored when others share theirs with her.
Reason for signing up:
I love the PoMo poets. They inspire me.
AJ Kline
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Bio:
Anna Kline is a songwriter and poet, who lives in Mt. Sterling, KY. A hound with her nose to the ground, she follows the scent and welcomes the adventure, wherever it may lead.
Reason for signing up:
I want another crack at Lex PoMo.
Nancy Jentsch
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Bio:
Nancy is a second-career poet, retired teacher, mother, wife, grandmother and friend who gets a real lift from reading and writing poetry.
Reason for signing up:
Can't imagine June without LexPoMo.
Leah Tolle
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Bio:
Leah is an eighteen-year-old halfway through her sophomore year of college as an English minor. This is her second year participating, and she's freakin' pumped! Leah enjoys fiction, writing, and, uh...
Reason for signing up:
I LOVE POETRY :D
Jaime Quackenbush
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Bio:
Jaime is an educator, mother, musician, and free spirit who writes and dances her way through a magical life in Sleepy Hollow, NY with her two kids and two black cats.
Reason for signing up:
I participated last year and loved the shared community and productive inspiration. Looking forward to another month of powerful writing!
Linda Meg Frith
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Bio:
Linda Meg Frith earned an MSSW at the Kent School of Social Work,
University of Louisville. . In previous iterations of her life, she taught adult education, classes
of poetry, vocabulary and public speaking.
She has published poetry in River and South, eMerge, Rainy Weather Days,
Amethyst Review, Eclectica Magazine, and most recently was the featured
poet in the September issue of Tipton Poetry Journal. She received a
Pushcart Prize nomination for her poem, Home is Where the Hurt Is.
Linda Meg currently lives with her Chihuahua, Jasmine, in Louisville, KY
Reason for signing up:
Love of poetry, love of community.
Leah Tenney
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Bio:
Leah writes poetry, short stories, and archaeologically inspired novels. She spends a great deal of her time cuddling a large black cat and making friends with rocks, plants, and insects.
Reason for signing up:
This is my third year participating in #LEXPOMO. Each year I'm incredibly inspired by all the other amazing writers, and I grow in my own poetry practice.
Bernard Deville
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Bio:
Bernard is a retired bookseller and teacher who lives in Lexington with his wife and a wonderful collection of cats, dogs, and books.
Reason for signing up:
It's keeping up the tradition!
Tasha Lee
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Bio:
Tasha Lee is a lifelong writer and past participant of Lexington Poetry Month. She believes in maintaining a healthy amount of whimsey at all times.
Reason for signing up:
I enjoy being part of this community.
Guillotine Harlot
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Bio:
Abigail is a zillenial who has somehow managed to infiltrate a radio station run by a bunch of 18-23 year olds (WRFL) and become a NWS certified storm spotter. She also enjoys gardening on her family's rural acreage, taking care of her cats, playing Fallout, nose to tail cooking, going to the gym, and working her way through the many classic films she has yet to watch. She is an enthusiast for the Swedish language, onomastics, and her big yellow box of Lego bricks.
Reason for signing up:
I wanted to see if I could do better than I did last year
Laura Foley
Manny Grimaldi
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Bio:
Manny Grimaldi co-founded Yearling Poetry Journal in collaboration with Chris McCurry as editor-in-chief at Workhorse in Lexington, and worked the publication as managing editor from 2021 to 2026. He recently won the Browning Literary Club Prize in Poetry from WKU, awarded by Creative Writing faculty, and spends much time performing his work regionally. Manny is author of two full length poetry collections-- Riding Shotgun with the Mothman, and Finding a Word to Describe You.
Reason for signing up:
Because!
Michele
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Bio:
Michele LeNoir is an eclectic creative who balances her artistic practice with gardening, family time—especially with her grandson—and life-coaching former refugees she once taught. She lives with her spouse and a small menagerie of a horse, a dog, and three cats.
Reason for signing up:
Returning for my third year of LexPoMo, I am back to engage with the beautiful spirit of this community and to embrace the challenge.
Amy Le Ann Richardson
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Bio:
Amy Le Ann Richardson is a writer, educator, and community organizer based on her family farm in Carter County. She is the author of three poetry collections, including Out of Places (Pine Row Press), and editor of the forthcoming anthology Rooted, Resilient, Rising: Women Growing Food across the Mountains (University Press of Kentucky). She is founder and director of the Bloodroot Young Writers Collective, an inaugural National Arts Futures Fellow, and co-founder of the Appalachian Literary Arts Festival in Morehead, Kentucky.
Reason for signing up:
For the love of poetry.
John Vance
Antheia
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Bio:
Antheia is a queer poet and fiction writer from Eastern Kentucky. Her work has been featured in Merion West, Roi Faineant, The Genre Society, Down in the Dirt and more. She is currently obtaining her MFA in Creative Writing.