Nicole Steinberg read her poetry for the first time as 2021 Poet Laureate of Bucks County, Nov. 14 in Tyler Hall on the Newtown Campus of Bucks County Community College. The program was also broadcast via Zoom.
Steinberg was joined by outgoing laureate Jane Edna Mohler, and three runners-up, Judith Lagana, Lynda Gene Rymond, and Tara Tamburello.
Judges this year were, Ernest Hilbert and Maggie Smith. Hilbert commenced the readings with his collections “Caligulan” and “Last One Out.”
Currently living in Newtown, Steinberg originally hails from Queens, New York. She attended Brandeis University for her B.A. in creative writing and The New School, for her M.F.A. She is chief marketing and communications officer for Moore College of Art & Design.
The laureate has gained writing experience in magazine publishing with TV Guide, Entertainment Weekly and Bomb. While working at The Pew Center and Mural Arts in Philadelphia, she met her wife and moved to Newtown.
Steinberg is the author of two books of poetry: “Glass Actress” (Furniture Press Books, 2017) and “Getting Lucky” (Spooky Girlfriend Press, 2013). Her published chapbooks are “Fat Dreams” (Barrelhouse, 2018), “Clever Little Gang,” and two titles from Dancing Girl Press.
Runner-up Judith Lagana was praised by Judge Smith for her ability “to take risks and the use of white space.” “How To Be a Tomato,” “Along Fleecy Dale Road” and “Conversation With Myself” are a few examples of her work.
Lynda Gene Rymond charmed Smith with her poetry that “toggles between levels of diction and reminds us that there is a human being behind them.”
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