Events

https://ucla.zoom.us/j/94198133756?pwd=Mnd3Qm9ON2JEbnFFVDBlZVJmWm5mZz09

Passcode: 713320

A ground-breaking anthology of 46 distinguished American contemporary poets and prose writers, written in real time in the first half of the historic, devastating coronavirus COVID-19 invasion of America in early 2020. In heart-wrenching, wide-eyed observations, firsthand events, tragedies, and reflections, these top authors document for us the horrors, grief, and heroism of friends, family, neighbors as we watched the disease unfold. Here, in 115 outstanding poems and prose pieces, are moments of hope and togetherness, grief, respite and balms. This gathering of Poets Laureate, national award winners, poet leaders, essayists, academics, and short fiction writers is a collection to treasure and a touchstone for generations to come.

Thelma T. Reyna’s books have collectively won 18 national book awards. She has written 7 books: a short story collection, 2 poetry chapbooks, and 3 full-length poetry collections, including Dearest Papa: A Memoir in Poems. As Poet Laureate in Altadena, CA in 2014-2016, she edited the Altadena Poetry Review Anthology in 2015 and 2016. In 2020, she edited the anthology When the Virus Came Calling: COVID-19 Strikes America.

Dr. Reyna’s fiction, poetry, and nonfiction have appeared in literary journals, anthologies, textbooks, blogs, and regional media for over 25 years. She was selected as a “Top 10 San Gabriel Valley Poet, 2016” by Spectrum Publications and was a Pushcart Prize Nominee in Poetry in 2017. She also won the “2011 Women in Business Award, Most Inspirational” for her work as an author, presented by California State Assembly and State Senate legislators for the Pasadena district.

Dr. Reyna has curated and coordinated numerous poetry readings of fellow Southern California poets, organized literary panel presentations for special events, and is a professional editor. She received her Ph.D. at UCLA.