Centenary College’s Dr. Chrissy Martin celebrates poetry book debut
The Centenary community is invited to celebrate the debut book of poetry, Whole, Holy, Hot, by our very own assistant English professor, Dr. Chrissy Martin. The reading and reception will be held on April 17th at 6:00 p.m. in the Meadows Museum. Dr. Martin will be reading excerpts from her forthcoming book.
Whole, Holy, Hot, which engages pop culture, glamour, gender performance, faith, mental illness, disability, and the body through poems that blend critical inquiry with humor, camp, and play.
“This book is the culmination of a decade of writing and radical revision. What began as my PhD dissertation was reconceptualized, expanded, and reassembled into my first book.” Dr. Martin explained, “The poems bring embodied experience into conversation with popular culture, examining illness, disability, gender, and care through both formal and free verse.”
The timing of the publication fees is especially meaningful. Whole, Holy, Hot will be released during National Poetry Month, “and just weeks before my first cohort of advisees graduates. I’m honored to share this milestone alongside such a talented group of students and emerging writers,” said Martin.
To introduce Dr. Martin, her first cohort of advisees will read a piece of their own poetry. The reading will be followed by a brief Q&A session, a book signing, and a reception. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event.
Dr. Chrissy Martin is a poet, editor, professor, and pop culture connoisseur. Her work has appeared in Gulf Coast, Cherry Tree, swamp pink, Harpur Palate, and elsewhere, earning nominations for the Pushcart Prize and Best New Poets. She holds a PhD from Oklahoma State University and an MFA from Columbia College Chicago. Co-founder and Poetry Director of Arcturus, she is also an assistant professor of English at Centenary College of Louisiana. She lives with her partner, Ryan, and teacup poodle and muse, Toby.
Find her at www.chrissymartinpoetry.com.