Glenn Shaheen, Ph.D. poetry student and award-winning writer.
By Katy TerBerg
The Poetry Society of America recently announced that Ph.D. poetry student, author and editor Glenn Shaheen has been chosen as a finalist for the Norma Farber First Book Award for his book of poems, “Predatory.”
This award was established by the family and friends of Norma Farber, poet and author of children’s books, for a first book of original poetry written by an American and published in either a hard or soft cover in a standard edition in 2011. Translations are ineligible, as are chapbooks.
Originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Shaheen’s life as a scholar has been nomadic. He received his MFA in creative writing from the University of Houston and moved to Michigan to co-edit NanoFiction, a literary journal of flash fiction, or stories with 300 words or fewer. He also serves on the board of directors for the Radius of Arab-American Writers, Inc.
The University of Pittsburgh Press published “Predatory” in August 2011. The book won the Agnes Lynch Starrett Poetry Prize and was given glowing reviews by critics and fellow authors Ed Ochester, Quan Barry, Tony Hoagland and Nick Flynn. Flynn described “Predatory” as “a phenomenal first book—who knew a complete guide to catastrophe and mayhem could be so engaging?”
Shaheen has published 27 poems, 12 pieces of fiction and two reviews. He’s also a talented musician, having written, sung, and played the guitar for several songs found on Youtube. He frequently posts on Twitter about upcoming reading events as well as personal quips.
Links:
Poetry Society website
Glenn Shaheen’s official website
Glenn Shaheen’s Twitter
Shaheen’s interview with WMUK
