Stephen Roger Powers, an American poet who has recently published his fourth poetry collection with Salmon Poetry, announces his eighth residency at the Salmon Bookshop & Literary Centre from 27 June to 11 July.
To celebrate his fourth poetry collection, Hail My Attention Kindly, published by Salmon Poetry in February 2024, Stephen Roger Powers will be in residence at the new premises of the Salmon Bookshop & Literary Centre in Ennistymon from 27 June to 11 July.
“I’m looking forward to my eighth residency at the Salmon Bookshop & Literary Centre,” Powers says. “I’m especially excited about staying in the new premises. Jessie Lendennie was able to raise the funds needed for the move with a GoFundMe campaign that wildly exceeded everyone’s expectations and even caught the attention of international media, which shows that Salmon Poetry is a strong and thriving presence in Ireland, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Powers will be available each day for book signings, and he will give a reading in the bookshop on 6 July at 14:00 with Galway poet Rita Ann Higgins, with music by Anne Rynne.
Born and raised in Wisconsin, USA, Stephen Roger Powers has coped with profound hearing loss most of his life. He was a delivery driver and a stand-up comedian while working on his PhD in English, and he has lost count of how many times he has seen Dolly Parton at Dollywood and in concert.
Powers has published four poetry collections with Salmon Poetry; his first includes an endorsement from Dolly Parton on the back cover. His collection of short stories, Highway Speed, was published by Closet Skeleton Press. His writing has appeared in over 100 journals and anthologies, including 32 Poems, The Comstock Review, Copper Nickel, Natural Bridge, Shenandoah, and Let Me Say This: A Dolly Parton Poetry Anthology. He lives near Atlanta.
Salmon Poetry, taking its name from the Salmon of Knowledge in Celtic mythology, was established in 1981 as an alternative voice in Irish literature. By specializing in the promotion of new poets, particularly women poets, Salmon has enriched Irish literary publishing. In recent years Salmon has developed a cross-cultural, international literary dialogue and has the endorsement of Michael D. Higgins, the current president of Ireland. Salmon places a strong emphasis on the design of its books and has been consistently praised for the quality of its productions.
