Poet’s Bio: Ruth Ticktin coordinated international programs, advised and taught English in Washington, DC and Maryland since 1977. From Madison and Chicago, graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Ruth writes poetry and fiction. Always sharing stories, she is an author: Was, Am, Going ; Recollections in Poetry & Flash (New Bay Books, 2022.) co-editor: Psalms for Contemplation (Poetica Publishing 2020.) co-author: What's Ahead? (Pro Lingua Learning 2013.) contributor: Maryland Bards 2023, 2024 & Gathering (Local Gem Press.) BarBar; Literary Heist; Wild Word; Straylight & more. Deliah Lawrence: What tips would you give to aspiring poets? Ruth Ticktin: When you have a picture in your mind, write down the words and don’t be concerned with the form that first emerges on paper or screen. At times you will hear the words like a song and write in a rhythm. Other moments after having a visceral reaction to a scene you will need to recreate that action in
Poet’s Bio: Pat Valdata is a poet and novelist. Her poetry book about women aviation pioneers, Where No Man Can Touch , won the 2015 Donald Justice Poetry Prize. A revised edition of this book was published in June 2023 (Wind Canyon Books) and won third prize from the Delaware Press Association. Her poetry has appeared in anthologies and literary magazines including Ecotone , Ekphrastic Review , Italian Americana , Little Patuxent Review , North American Review , Passager , and Valparaiso Poetry Review. She has received three Individual Artist Awards in poetry from the Maryland State Arts Council, two nominations for the Pushcart Prize, and a grant from the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation. She lives in Crisfield, Maryland, with her husband, Bob Schreiber, and a rescue poodle named Junior. Information about all her books is on her website: www.patvaldata.com . Deliah Lawrence: Is there any particular poet, author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?