ETSU Reading in October
Jeff will be reading at East Tennessee State University on Monday, October 20, 2008. Many thanks to Theresa Lloyd for the invitation!

"Binding the God" Included in Queer and Catholic
Jeff's essay "Binding the God " was included in the "Heretics" section of the new anthology Queer and Catholic, edited by Amie M. Evans and Trebor Healey and published by Routledge.

Essay Included in Anthology about Gay Male Friendships
Jeff's essay "715 Willey Street " has appeared in On the Meaning of Friendship Between Gay Men, edited by Andrew R. Gottlieb and published by Routledge. Thanks to Farron for the inspiration!

New Poems in Blue Fifth Review
Jeff's poems "Greg's Party," "Three Crosses," and "Writers' Tour of Kayford Mountain--October 16, 2006" have appeared in the Spring 2008 Supplement issue of Blue Fifth Review. The special issue features Appalachian poets and is edited by Felicia Mitchell.

Saints and Sinners 2008
The LGBT literary festival Saints and Sinners was held May 9-11, 2008, in New Orleans. Jeff spoke on a memoir panel, as well as reading as part of a Queer and Catholic book launch.

Appalachian Journal Interview
"Mountaineer Queer: An Interview with Jeff Mann" by Rebecca Baird and Kathryn Staley has appeared in the Fall 2007/Winter 2008 issue of Appalachian Journal. Many thanks to Rebecca, Kathryn, and Sandy Ballard!

Four Appearances at ASA Conference
Jeff was part of four panels at the Appalachian Studies Association Conference at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, March 28-30, 2008. He moderated "Memoirs of the Marginalized," spoke on"The Art of Documenting LGBT Identity" and "Teaching Appalachia," and read poems to celebrate the publication of Coal: A Poetry Anthology.

Cleveland Reading
Jeff read from his award-winning fiction collection A History of Barbed Wire at Suspect Thoughts Books in Cleveland, Ohio, on Saturday, March 1, 2008. Thanks to Greg Wharton and Ian Philips for the invitation!

Work to Appear in Best Gay Short Stories
Jeff's short story "Taming the Trees" will be included in Best Gay Short Stories, edited by Steve Berman and published by Lethe Press. Many thanks, Mr Steve!

Virginia Tech Memorial Reading at AWP Conference
Along with colleagues Fred D'Aguiar, Katie Fallon, Aileen Murphy, Lissa Bloomer, Robin Allnut, and Gyorgyi Voros, Jeff read as part of "Absent Friends: a Virginia Tech Memorial Reading" at the Associated Writing Programs Conference in New York City on February 1, 2008. Thanks to Robin Allnut for organizing this event.

Essay Appears in White Crane
Jeff's essay "Beards, Body Hair, and Brawn: Reflections of a Muscle-Bear" appeared in the Winter issue of White Crane dedicated to "Bears."

RFD Interview
An interview with Jeff, "Southern Bears, Well-Stocked Liquor Cabinets, and Bible Belt Dungeon Fantasies: Shane Allison Talks to Jeff Mann about A History of Barbed Wire," , which appeared in Issue 22 of Velvet Mafia, has been reprinted in the Winter 2007-08 issue of RFD.

Essay on Activism Published in Appalachian Journal
Jeff's essay "The Mountaineer Queer Ponders His Risk-list" has appeared in a special issue of Appalachian Journal published in honor of Stephen L. Fisher and focusing on Appalachian activism.

Two Poems Published in Knockout
Jeff's poems "Mummy Case--Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge" and "Gloucester Cathedral" are included in the inaugural issue of Knockout. Congratulations to editors Jeremy Halinen and Brett Ortler for creating this handsome new magazine!

Two Poems Appear in White Crane
Jeff's poems "Achilles and Patroclus " and "Heaven's Hearth" appeared in the "Lovers" issue (Fall 2007) of White Crane.

Jeff and Joni
Jeff was interviewed as part of "The Emergence of Joni Mitchell," a radio program hosted by Paul Ingles for Public Radio. Jeff has admired Mitchell's work for thirty years; his poetry has been influenced by her lyrics; inspired by her music, he even taught himself to play piano, guitar, and Appalachian dulcimer. Thus being included in this program is quite an honor.

Two On the Tongue Poems Reprinted
"Volatiles" and "Roosevelt Island," previously printed in Jeff's collection On the Tongue, are included in the Summer 2007 issue of Pine Mountain Sand and Gravel: Contemporary Appalachian Writing.

A History of Barbed Wire Wins Award
A History of Barbed Wire has won a Lambda Literary Award! The Lambda Literary Foundation held the Nineteenth Annual Lambda Literary Award ceremony on Thursday, May 31, 2007, in New York City. Jeff attended with his partner John and his best friend Cindy and was delighted to bring home a Lammy. Time for champagne!

Velvet Mafia Interview
An interview with Jeff, "Southern Bears, Well-Stocked Liquor Cabinets, and Bible Belt Dungeon Fantasies: Shane Allison Talks to Jeff Mann about A History of Barbed Wire," appears in Issue 22 of Velvet Mafia.

BiblioBuffet Interview
Daniel M. Jaffe interviews Jeff in his "Talking Across the Table" column on BiblioBuffet.

West Virginia Authors Website Includes Jeff
A several-page entry on Jeff and his work has been added to The Annie Merner Pfeiffer Library Guide to Resources for the Study of West Virginia Authors and Appalachian Literary Traditions. Many thanks to Beth Rogers and West Virginia Wesleyan College for this honor!

A History of Barbed Wire Published
Suspect Thoughts Press has published Jeff's collection of short fiction, A History of Barbed Wire. The volume includes many of Jeff's previously published stories, such as "Fireflies," "Balsam Poplar Buds," "Not for Long," and "Raspberry Moonshine". Thanks, thanks, thanks to Greg Wharton and Ian Philips, incredibly sweet and talented guys who manage this cutting-edge and much-needed LGBT press in San Francisco. Thanks also to Patrick Califia for writing the forward.

On the Tongue Released
Jeff's new volume of poetry, On the Tongue, has been released by Gival Press. The book collects many of the love poems that Jeff has published in literary journals over the last few years.

Library of Congress Reading
Jeff read at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C, on Thursday, June 7. Many thanks to Yermiyahu Taub and Maarja Vigorito for the kind invitation.

Saints and Sinners Appearances
The LGBT literary festival Saints and SInners was held on May 10-13, 2007, in New Orleans. Jeff read from his new book of fiction, A History of Barbed Wire, as well as participating on two panels, "Identity Envy: Key to a Writer's Imagination?" and "Publishing with a Small Press: How Do You Make It Work for your Book?".

Reading in Washington DC
Jeff read at Lambda Rising, the LGBT bookstore in Washington, D.C, on Thursday, March 29, 2007.

Essay Appears in Traditions
Jeff's essay "One Writer's Appreciation of Appalachian Folk Culture" appeared in Traditions: A Journal of West Virginia Folk Culture and Educational Awareness (Volume 10--2007). Many thanks to Judy Byers and Phyllis Moore!

Readings in San Francisco and Oakland
Jeff read at Books, Inc. in San Francisco, along with noted writer Patrick Califia, on January 11, 2007. On January 12, he read at the Laurel Book Store in Oakland, California, with Patrick, Greg Wharton, and Ian Philips. Many thanks to the friendly bookstore staffs and the supportive audiences!

Loving Mountains, Loving Men
Jeff's collection of poetry and memoir, Loving Mountains, Loving Men, has been published by Ohio University Press. The first book-length treatment of gay life in Appalachia, it is part of OUP's series on Ethnicity and Gender in Appalachia. Irene McKinney, Denise Giardina, Felice Picano, and Danny Miller have kindly written jacket blurbs. Many thanks to Lynda Ann Ewen, the Series Editor; Gillian Berchowitz, the Senior Editor; and David Sanders, the Director. Thanks also to John Ross for the inspiration, Lucinda Roy for the advice, and Cathy Pleska for the support.

Excerpt of Novella to Appear in Harrington Gay Men's Literary Quarterly
The first chapter and a half of The Quality of Mercy, a novella included in Jeff's upcoming book of short fiction, A History of Barbed Wire, will appear in a future issue of Harrington Gay Men's Literary Quarterly. Many thanks, Tom Long!

Appalachian Heritage Celebration at Berea College
Along with superb writers Meredith Sue Wilis and Crystal Wilkinson, Jeff read at the Inaugural Appalachian Heritage Featured Authors Reading at Berea College, Kentucky, on November 10, 2006. Huge thanks to George and Connie Brosi, and the warm and wonderful staff of Appalachian Heritage magazine!

Another Visit to Randall Reade's Gay Literary Series
On October 29, 2006, Jeff read from On the Tongue and Loving Mountains, Loving Men as part of a series of gay literary salons hosted by Randall Reade and held in Mr. Reade's handsome Capitol Hill home. He was joined by talented poet Yermiyahu Ahron Taub, whose new book The Insatiable Psalm was just released by Wind River Press.

Jeff Joins WV Writers' Tour of Mountaintop Removal Sites
On October 16, 2006, Jeff joined a group of West Virginia writers who toured what's left of Kayford Mountain and then were taken on fly-overs of other mountaintop removal sites. That evening, they heard many painful and moving testimonies from coalfield residents whose quality of life is being systematically destroyed by this monstrous mining practice. Other authors involved in the tour included Irene McKinney, Denise Giardina, Edwina Pendarvis, Laura Bentley, Chris Green, Jim Van Kirk, Bob Henry Baber, Cathy Pleska, Katie Fallon, Diane Fisher, Sam Martin, Rob Merritt, Beth Wellington, and Delilah O'Haynes. Their statement, "Appalachia's Last Stand: An Open Letter to West Virginia Citizens and the Congress of the United States" will soon be released. Many thanks to Tonya Adkins, Vivian Stockman, and all the folks at the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition for their efforts in organizing the tour.

Essay Reprinted in Anthology
"Key West," which previously appeared in Jeff's book of personal essays, Edge, was reprinted in the anthology Queer Shorts, edited by Maria Angeline.

Online Interview in Boston's Edge
Kilian Melloy's lengthy interview, "Sweetness and Light: EDGE Chats with Jeff Mann" appeared on August 10, 2006, in EDGE, an online LGBT magazine out of Boston, Massachusetts. Thanks for the exposure, Kilian!

Featured Author in Appalachian Heritage
Jeff is the featured author in the Summer 2006 issue of Appalachian Heritage. Included are Jeff's "Mountain Modes: Seven Dulcimer Poems," his essay "Making and Taking Space for Mountaineer Queers," which he presented at the 2006 AWP Conference, plus a biography by Cynthia Burack, a critical essay by Michael Shannon Friedman, a poem about Jeff by Parks Lanier, and two reminiscences, one by Edwina Pendarvis and one by Kevin Oderman. Bless you, George Brosi!

Poems Appear in Coal
"Locrian" and "Black Windows" were published in Coal: A Poetry Anthology, released in Fall 2006 by Blair Mountain Press. Many thanks to Edwina Pendarvis, Chris Green, and Victor Depta!

Poem in new West Virginia Literary Magazine
Jeff's poem "Sycamore" appeared in the first issue of ABZ, a new literary magazine out of Marshall University. Thanks to John McKernan!

Excerpt of Loving Mountains, Loving Men in Lambda Book Report
A section of "Constructing Heaven," the preface to Loving Mountains, Loving Men, was reprinted in the Spring 2006 issue of Lambda Book Report, a review of contemporary gay and lesbian literature.

Saints and Sinners Appearances
The LGBT literary festival Saints and Sinners took place in New Orleans on May 12-14, 2006. Jeff participated in a panel about memoir as well as reading from his work in the Harrington Park Press Reading Series and at Faubourg Marigny Art and Books. Other festival participants included Ian Philips, Sean Meriwether, Trebor Healey, and Patricia Nell Warren.

Appalachian State Reading
On Wednesday, April 26, 2006, Jeff read at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. Many thanks to Sandy, Chip, Rebecca, and Kathryn for their warmth and hospitality! Jeff was also interviewed for the fall issue of Appalachian Journal.

Blacksburg Reading
On Saturday, April 22, 2006, Jeff read from Loving Mountains, Loving Men, at the Easy Chair Bookstore in downtown Blacksburg, Virginia. Thanks, Russell, Ann, and Chris!

White Crane Interview
An interview with Jeff, along with material from his book Loving Mountains, Loving Men, appeared in the Spring 2006 issue of White Crane: Journal of Gay Wisdom and Culture.

Essay to be Published in Traditions
Jeff's essay "'Till the Ductile Anchor Hold': An Appreciation of Appalachian Folk Culture," will be published in an upcoming issue of Traditions: A Journal of West Virginia Folk Culture and Educational Awareness. Thanks to Judy Byers and Phyllis Moore!

Short Story Reprinted
Jeff's story "Captive," which previously appeared on-line in Velvet Mafia, was reprinted in the Alyson Books anthology Secret Slaves, edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel and Christopher Pierce.

Story Appears in Biker Anthology
"Dionysus Redux" recently appeared in the STARbooks fiction anthology The Wildest Ones, edited by M. Christian.

Savannah Readings
Jeff gave two readings in Savannah, Georgia: one at the Los Robles Center for the Arts and Humanities on Sunday, March 26, and another for the Poetry Society of Georgia on Tuesday, March 28. Many thanks to Robert Crockett and Richard Gourley for making the arrangements. And what a delight to meet Mizz Theodosia! Here's to warm, talented, kind lesbians--embodiments of the goddess Athena.

Virginia Festival of the Book Panel
Along with Jeff Biggers, celebrated author of The United States of Appalachia: How Southern Mountaineers Brought Independence, Culture, and Enlightenment to America, Jeff participated in a panel called "Beyond Banjos: Another Appalachia" at the Virginia Festival of the Book in Charlottesville, Virginia, on March 23, 2006.

Appalachian Studies Association Conference Panel
Stonewall City: Voices of Gay West Virginians, a film by Layne Amerikaner, was shown on March 17, 2006, at the Appalachian Studies Association Conference in Dayton, Ohio. Jeff, along with Layne Amerikaner, Linda Spatig and Kat Williams, commented on the film after the viewing. Thanks to Annette and Jenn for the Yellow Springs hospitality!

Northern Kentucky University Reading
Huge thanks to Danny Miller for arranging a reading at NKU in Highland Heights, Kentucky, on March 16, 2006! After speaking with Danny's graduate class in Appalachian literature, Jeff read from Bones Washed with Wine and Loving Mountains, Loving Men. Afterwards, members of SAWC (Southern Appalachian Writers Cooperative) read, including Dana Wildsmith, RIchard Hague, Frankie Finley, Beth Wellington, and Jim Webb. The evening ended with a fine reception thrown by Scott Goebel and his hospitable wife.

AWP Panel
Jeff moderated a panel, "Out of the Margins: Queer Poets Making and Taking Space," at the national Associated Writing Programs Conference in Austin, Texas. Big thanks to Robin Becker, Kay Murphy, and Kevin McLellan for their superb presentations. The panel occurred Saturday, March 11, 2006, from 1:30 till 2:45 pm. Jeff and his partner John sampled some fine BBQ and Tex-Mex food, and--with super poet Maggie Anderson and her delightful partner Anna--saw the legendary bats of Congress Avenue Bridge take wing. Here's to Austin, a great liberal bastion in an otherwise depressingly conservative state.

Roanoke Times Interview
Roanoke Times reporter Beth Macy recently published an interview with Jeff focusing on his book Loving Mountains, Loving Men and the themes it shares with the film Brokeback Mountain. Now Jeff has a new nickname: the "Brokeback Professor."

Charleston Gazette Essay
Jeff's essay "Watching Brokeback Mountain" appeared in the February 19, 2006 issue of the Sunday Gazette-Mail in Charleston, West Virginia. Many thanks to Doug Imbrogno for help in getting the piece published, and thanks to the polite and respectful audience with whom Jeff watched the film.

Marshall University Reading
On Thursday evening, March 2, Jeff read at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Thanks to Art Stringer for setting up this event! For more information, please check out the press release.

Feast of Fools Interview
A lengthy podcast interview with Jeff about his new book Loving Mountains, Loving Men has just been posted on Feast of Fools, a Chicago-based LGBT website. Thanks to witty Fausto and Marc for their interest in mountaineer queers!

"Fireflies" Republished
Jeff's short story "Fireflies" has reappeared in a new edition of The Big Book of Erotic Ghost Stories, edited by Greg Wharton. The anthology, previously released by Venus Book Club, has now been republished by Blue Moon Books in New York City.

Poem Appears in Off the Rocks
"Kilts," which Jeff wrote after a Burns Night celebration at Hotel Roanoke in the late 1990's, appeared in the Fall 2005 issue of Off the Rocks, a Chicago LGBT literary magazine. "Kilts" will reappear in Jeff's new Gival Press collection On the Tongue in 2006.

Poems and Essay Appear in Chiron Review
Jeff's poems "In Ireland" and "The Bells of Bruges," as well as his essay "Valhalla in the Redwoods," appeared in the last issue of Chiron Review.

Short Story Appears in Out of Control
"Raspberry Moonshine," a suspense story based on Jeff's interest in Appalachian folk culture, was recently published in Out of Control, a Suspect Thoughts Press anthology edited by Greg Wharton and featured in the November 2005 InsightOutBooks catalog.

"Homecoming" Appears in Bloom
"Homecoming," the final poem in Jeff's Ohio University Press volume Loving Mountains, Loving Men, appeared in the Fall 2005 issue of Bloom, a fine new LGBT literary magazine.

Poem Appears in Special Issue of The Cream City Review
"Return," a short poem included in Jeff's upcoming poetry collection On the Tongue, recently appeared in a special LGBT issue of The Cream City Review.

Grafton Presentation
Jeff gave a talk on Appalachian poetry at the International Mother's Day Shrine in Grafton, West Virginia, on Saturday, November 5, 2005. He also read a few poems of his own and played the dulcimer. Many thanks to Ronald Curry, whose hospitality was superb!

Charleston Reading
Jeff read poems at the 2005 West Virginia Book Festival on Sunday, October 23.

Virginia Tech Reading
Carol Burch-Brown and Jeff presented a program on "Gay in Appalachia" at 7 pm on Friday, October 21, in Torgersen Museum at Virginia Tech. Many thanks to the crowd who attended!

Roanoke Reading
Pride in the Park 2005 occurred on Sunday, September 18, in Elmwood Park in Roanoke, Virginia. Jeff read a few poems as part of the scheduled events.

Jeff's Vampire Lives Again
Derek Maclaine, the protagonist of Jeff's 2003 novella Devoured, appears again in "Hemlock Lake," a short story included in Blood Lust: Erotic Vampire Tales, edited by M. Christian and Todd Gregory and published by Alyson Books.

Short Story On-line
Jeff's short story "Captive," part of A History of Barbed Wire, his collection of short fiction due out from Suspect Thoughts Press in 2006, just appeared in Velvet Mafia: Dangerous Queer Fiction. Thanks much, Sean Meriwether!

Edge a Staff Pick at InsightOut Books
Jeff's memoir Edge was chosen as one of two Staff Picks in a recent InsightOut Book Club catalog. Bless you, Dan Kelly!

Essay Appears in The Iron Mountain Review
Jeff's essay "'A Beloved Place and People': Landscape and Folk Culture in the Poetry of Maggie Anderson" has appeared in The Iron Mountain Review. The new issue is dedicated to Maggie Anderson's superb works.

Poem Accepted for Sodom and Me
"After the Election: An Evening of Araporn," which Jeff wrote in response to George W. Bush's reelection, will be included in Sodom and Me: Queers on Fundamentalism, due out in October 2006 from Suspect Thoughts Press. Thanks to Tiffany Trent for the title and for consoling company that gloomy November evening. Nothing like Manhattans, red wine, Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn in The Fellowship of the Ring, and Hungarian food to distract one from political disaster.

All Write @ VA Tech
On June 20-24, 2005, the first All Write @ Virginia Tech, a summer creative writing youth camp, convened at Virginia Tech. Jeff taught poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction to a class of 16-18-year-olds. They produced some great writing and read with poise and enthusiasm at the June 24 reading.

Poem Published in Gival Press Anthology
Jeff's poem "Oasis," inspired by a visit to a guesthouse of the same name in Key West, Florida, appears in the Gival Press anthology Poetic Voices Without Borders, edited by Robert Giron.

"A History of Barbed Wire" Republished
"A History of Barbed Wire" was republished in Summer 2005 in Best of Best Gay Erotica, Volume 2, edited by Richard Labonté.

Three Poems Appear in The Spoon River Poetry Review
"Bereft," "The Men of Taco Bell," and "Civilization Comes to Summers County" appeared in a recent issue of
The Spoon River Poetry Review.

Walking Higher Reading
A reading to celebrate the publication of Walking Higher: Gay Men Write About the Deaths of Their Mothers was held at the Los Robles Center for the Arts and Humanities in Savannah, Georgia, on May 29, 2005. Jeff read from his essay "Fried Chicken and Spoonbread."

Panels at the 2005 Saints and Sinners Literary Festival
Jeff attended another great Saints and Sinners festival in New Orleans May 13-15. He moderated one panel, "Family Life Beyond the Big City," to celebrate the publication of Small-Town Gay, and participated in another, "Queer Myths, Queer Truths." He also got to luxuriate in the company of great writers like Ian Philips, Greg Wharton, Patrick Califia, and Sean Meriwether.

Lammy FInalists Reading
The Lambda Literary Foundation sponsored a reading of Lambda Literary Award finalists on May 5, 2005, at the Goethe Institut in Washington, D.C. Jeff was honored to represent I Do/I Don't: Queers on Marriage, reading his poem "Virginia Fantasia." Thanks to Jonathan Harper and Jim Marks for the fine receptions on May 6th and 7th! And congrats to Greg Wharton and Ian Philips, editors of I Do/I Don't, which went on to win the Lammy Award for Nonfiction Anthology!

Two Poems Published in Shenandoah
"Ice" and "Gray," two poems from Jeff's collection On the Tongue, a book due out in 2006 from Gival Press, appeared in the Spring 2005 issue of the prestigious literary magazine Shenandoah.

Panel at the 2005 AWP Conference
Jeff moderated a panel, "Recreating Our Forebears: Queer Poetry, Queer History," at the Associated Writing Programs Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, held March 31-April 2, 2005. The panel included Robin Becker, Mark Doty, Kay Murphy, and Robert Giron. Jeff not only attended many interesting conference sessions, he and his partner John also got to explore a fascinating city and sample First Nations cuisine.

Panel at the Appalachian Studies Association Conference
Jeff moderated a panel of West Virginia poets at the Appalachian Studies Association Conference, held at Radford University March 18-20, 2005. The panel, "Crosses, Ramps, Hill-Coves and Coal Dust: Four West Virginia Poets," included Arthur Stringer, Victor Depta, Edwina Pendarvis, and Jeff himself. Many thanks to both participants and audience for a fine time!

Poetry Reading at Lavender Languages and Linguistics Conference
On Saturday, February 12, 2005, Jeff read his poetry at the twelfth annual Lavender Languages and Linguistics Conference, along with poets Robert Giron and Ron Mohring. This gathering, held at American University in Washington, D.C., is the longest-running queer studies conference in the nation. Thanks to Robert Giron and William Leap for the invitation!

Fiction Reading at International Bear Rendezvous
On Saturday, February 19, 2005, Jeff read from his Bear Lust story "Balsam Poplar Buds" at the annual International Bear Rendezvous. IBR celebrates the subculture of bears: husky, hairy, bearded, masculine gay men. "PAWS for Words" also included readings and performances by Ron Suresha, Joel Perry, Simon Sheppard, and Raymond Lucsak. Jeff met bears from all over the world and got to gobble a healthy helping of dim sum too!

Essay Upcoming in Identity Envy Anthology
Jeff's essay "Plantation Fantasies" will appear in Identity Envy: Wanting To Be Who We're Not, edited by Jim Tushinski and Jim Van Buskirk.

Appalachian Heritage Publishes Another Poem
Thanks, George Brosi, editor of Appalachian Heritage! Jeff's poem "Hemlocks," inspired in part by the devastation of the Eastern hemlock by the wooly adelgid, was published in the Winter 2005 issue.

Poem Appears in Bayou
"Sugar Maples in October," which deals with the death of Mark Bingham, recently appeared in Bayou, the University of New Orleans's literary magazine. Bingham, a gay man who died in the plane crash in Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001, is believed by many to have been among the heroes who thwarted the hijackers.

Jeff Read his Paper on Maggie Anderson's Poetry at Emory and Henry Literary Festival
The 2004 Emory and Henry Literary Festival occurred September 23-24 on the campus of Emory and Henry College in Emory, Virginia. Jeff read his paper "'A Beloved Place and People': Landscape and Folk Culture in the Poetry of Maggie Anderson." Maggie has been one of Jeff's favorite poets since 1982, so it was a real delight to be included in the festivities.

Poetry Reading at 2004 West Virginia Book Festival
On Saturday, October 16, 2004, Jeff read his poetry at the fourth annual West Virginia Book Festival, along with such poets as Edwina Pendarvis and Victor Depta.

Jeff's Work Included in West Virginia Literary Map
At 1 pm on Saturday, October 16, 2004, the first official literary map of West Virginia was unveiled at the West Virginia Book Festival in Charleston, West Virginia. Citing 150 selected authors writing in six genres during the time period of 1863-2003, the map included Jeff's work. What an honor!! Many thanks to Phyllis Moore, Judy Byers, and other members of the map committee!

Lambda Rising Reading
Jeff emceed a reading to celebrate the publication of I Do/I Don't: Queers on Marriage, edited by Greg Wharton and Ian Philips. The reading was held on Thursday, October 21, 2004, at Lambda Rising Bookstore in Washington, D.C. Jeff introduced fellow writers Cynthia Burack, Laree Martin, Kris Hill, Karen Stogdill, Richard Rosendall, and Jonathan Rauch, and he read his poem "Virginia Fantasia."

Ghost Story Appears in Anthology
In the summer of 2004, Jeff's short story "Fireflies" was published in The Big Book of Erotic Ghost Stories, edited by Greg Wharton. The story was inspired by Jeff's interest in Appalachian folklore. It is also scheduled to appear in Men of Mystery, an anthology edited by Greg Wharton and Sean Meriwether.

Two Poems Appear in QP: Queer Poetry
"Holiness" and "Late May Mountain Gifts," part of Jeff's upcoming poetry collection On the Tongue, appeared in Volume III of the on-line magazine QP: Queer Poetry, as well as a review of Jeff's poetry collection Bones Washed with WIne.

"Virginia Fantasia" Published in I Do/I Don't
I Do/I Don't: Queers On Marriage was published in October 2004 by Suspect Thoughts Press in San Francisco. Jeff's poem "Virginia Fantasia" is included, as well as an essay co-written by two of Jeff's favorite women ever, Cynthia Burack and Laree Martin. Also included are works by such literary heavyweights as Dorothy Allison, Felice Picano, Patricia Nell Warren, and Patrick Califia.

Edge Selected for Book Club
Jeff's 2003 memoir Edge was selected by the InsightOut Book Club as a featured title in its December 2004 "Best Of" catalog. The book is now available for purchase on their on-line bookstore.

Seven Interlocking Essays Appear inSmall-Town Gay
"Hinton and Hejira," "Ephemera of Skin," "Loss and the Daily Biscuit," "Sunset Over Hinton," "Her Kitchen's Square of Sunlight," "Redefining Home," and "The Silver in My Beard" recently appeared in Small-Town Gay: Essays on Family LIfe Beyond the Big City, edited by Elizabeth Newman.

Short Story Accepted for Dangerous Liaisons
"Demon Seed," a piece of short fiction about a painful and adulterous gay affair, has been accepted by editor Paul Willis for the upcoming anthology Dangerous Liaisons.

On the Tongue
GIval Press, the publisher of Jeff's first full-length poetry collection, Bones Washed with Wine, has accepted another of Jeff's manuscripts for publication. On the Tongue, a collection of love poems, will appear in 2006. Many thanks to Robert Giron and Ken Schellenberg for their support! For more information on Gival Press, see www.givalpress.com

Walking Higher
Walking Higher: Gay Men Write about the Deaths of Their Mothers includes Jeff's essay "Fried Chicken and Spoon Bread." The anthology was published in Fall 2004.

Another Appalachian Poem
"Queen Anne's Lace," a short poem of Jeff's inspired by walks on his father's Forest Hill farm, appeared in the Spring/Summer 2004 issue of Appalachian Journal.

New Short Story Published
"Balsam Poplar Buds" appeared in Bear Lust, an anthology edited by Ron Suresha and published by Alyson Press.

Kestrel Publication
Jeff's poem "The Ladies Mile Pub," written during a Virginia Tech Study Abroad visit to England, will be published in the Tenth Anniversary Issue of Kestrel. Kestrel is a literary magazine published by Fairmont State College in Fairmont, West Virginia. Visit their website at http://www.fscwv.edu/pubs/kestrel/kestrel.html

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Roanoke Pride Reading
On Sunday, September 19, 2004, Jeff read four poems on the main stage of Pride in the Park, a gay pride celebration in Roanoke, Virginia. Beautiful September weather, a big happy crowd, plus amazing water lilies in Elmwood Park!
For more information, see www.roanokepride.com

Elderhostel Class
In July 2004, Jeff gave a talk on Appalachian Poetry for a group of wonderfully enthusiastic Elderhostlers at Mountain Lake Hotel.

Saints and Sinners
Jeff interviewed famous poet Mark Doty during the Saints and Sinners Literary Festival, which was held May 7-9, 2004, in New Orleans. He also chaired a panel, "Recreating Our Forebears: Queer Poetry, Queer History" and gave a reading from his work. For more information, check out www.sasfest.com

West Virginia Writers Conference
In June 2004, Jeff gave a reading and taught two classes, "Poetry and Autobiography" and "Poetry and Appalachian Folk Culture," at the West Virginia Writers State Writers Conference at Cedar Lakes, West Virginia. Thanks to George Lies and Cathy Pleska for this opportunity!

April 8 Reading
Jeff read from Edge and Masters of Midnight on Thursday, April 8, 2004, at Volume Two Bookstore in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Randall Reade's Gay Literary Series
On February 29, 2004, Jeff read and discussed his work as part of a series of gay literary salons hosted by Randall Reade and held in Mr. Reade's Capitol Hill home. A responsive audience, an elegant setting, snacks, and cocktails: what else could a poet want?

Milkweed Pods
Another poem inspired by Jeff's interest in botany, "Milkweed Pods in November" appeared in the Fall 2003 issue of Appalachian Heritage.

Lambda Literary Festival
Jeff participated in the 2003 Lambda Literary Festival in a big way. During the Festival, held in Provincetown, Massachusetts, on October 10-12, Jeff moderated two panels and participated in a third. His panel on Gay & Lesbian Southern Writing featured Alfred Corn and Blanche McCrary Boyd, among others, while the panel on Gay & Lesbian Genre Fiction included science fiction novelist Samuel Delany and horror writer Cecilia Tan. Jeff was also featured in a Travel Writing panel that included famous novelist Edmund White. Check out www.lambdalit.org for more information on this festival.

Voice for Appalachia
Jeff's essay that focuses on some of the intricacies of Appalachian Gay & Lesbian life appeared in the September/October 2003 issue of The Gay & Lesbian Review Worldwide (formerly the Harvard Gay & Lesbian Review). His essay is one that delves into the issue's theme of "Americana."

Stories in Best Gay Erotica
"Not for Long" appeared in Best Gay Erotica 2003, and "A History of Barbed Wire" appeared in Best Gay Erotica 2004. Both volumes were edited by Richard Labonte and published by Cleis Press.

"Cernunnos Tattoo"
Jeff celebrates self and spirituality with the inclusion of this poem in the anthology The Pagan's Muse: Poems of Ritual and Inspiration, edited by Jane Raeburn.

Edge released
Jeff's first full-length book of essays, the memoir Edge, was released in June 2003 from Haworth Press.

Devoured featured in popular Masters of Midnight
Jeff's vampire hero, Derek, made his debut in a collection of four novellas called Masters of Midnight, released in June 2003 . Also including work by Michael Thomas Ford, WIlliam J. Mann, and Sean Wofe, the book was a top seller in gay bookstores across the nation.

Featured Poet in Appalachian Heritage magazine
Jeff was the featured poet in the Spring 2003 issue of Appalachian Heritage, a magazine published by Berea College. The issue included Jeff's poems "The Harvest of Motes," "John's Apple Pie," and "Single Men."

Bones Washed with Wine
Jeff's first full-length book of poetry was published in January 2003 by Gival Press. This volume combines poems from his sold-out chapbooks Bliss and Flint Shards from Sussex. Look for it in your local bookstore or order it directly from Gival Press.

"Weekend"
Jeff's poem "Weekend," reflecting on the end of a relationship, appeared in the Fall 2003 issue of West Branch, a magazine published by Bucknell University.

New Position in Fall 2003
In January 2003, Jeff was selected as one of two candidates to become Assistant Professors in Creative Writing at Virginia Tech. Many thanks to all the friends, both in the English Department and beyond, who have supported him in this effort.

"Galatoire's"
Jeff wrote "Galatoire's" in 1996, after his first visit to New Orleans, where he enjoyed a fine meal at the world-famous Creole restaurant Galatoire's. This poem is dedicated to his friend and colleague Katherine Soniat. "Galatoire's" appeared in a special issue of Crab Orchard Review focusing on the topic of food.

"September Morning Fog"
This poem is one Jeff wrote in reflection upon the events of September 11, 2001. It recently appeared in an anthology of poems on this topic sponsored by the September 11 National Peace Poetry Project. This poem was one of 150 poems selected from over 4,000 submissions on the topic.