Michael Simms (publisher)
Encyclopedia
Michael Simms is an American
poet
and literary
publisher. His most recent book is Black Stone (Monkey Sea Editions, 2009). His poems have been published in literary journals and magazines including 5 A.M., Black Warrior Review, Mid-American Review
, Pittsburgh Quarterly, Southwest Review, and West Branch. His poems have also been read by Garrison Keillor
on the nationally syndicated radio show The Writer's Almanac
. Born in 1954 in Houston, Texas
, Simms attended the School of Irish Studies in Dublin, Ireland; Southern Methodist University
(BA
, 1976); and the University of Iowa
(MFA
, 1978). From 1979-1987 he served on the faculty of Southern Methodist University
and from 2005-2010 in Chatham University Master of Fine Arts Program
in Creative Writing
.
Since 1998, he is founder and Editor-in-chief of the literary publishing house Autumn House Press
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
. He has been the lead editor on over sixty full-length books of poetry and fiction by authors such as Gerald Stern
, Ed Ochester
, Jo McDougall, Chana Bloch
, Samuel Ligon, Samuel Hazo
, Sue Ellen Thompson, and Richard Jackson, as well as eight anthologies of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Simms also edits the online magazine Coal Hill Review. Simms lives with his wife Eva, a psychologist, and their two children in the historic neighborhood of Mount Washington
overlooking the city of Pittsburgh.
Nonfiction
Anthologies Edited
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
and literary
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
publisher. His most recent book is Black Stone (Monkey Sea Editions, 2009). His poems have been published in literary journals and magazines including 5 A.M., Black Warrior Review, Mid-American Review
Mid-American Review
Mid-American Review is an international literary journal dedicated to publishing contemporary fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and translations. Founded in 1981, MAR is a publication of the Department of English and the College of Arts & Sciences at Bowling Green State University...
, Pittsburgh Quarterly, Southwest Review, and West Branch. His poems have also been read by Garrison Keillor
Garrison Keillor
Gary Edward "Garrison" Keillor is an American author, storyteller, humorist, and radio personality. He is known as host of the Minnesota Public Radio show A Prairie Home Companion Gary Edward "Garrison" Keillor (born August 7, 1942) is an American author, storyteller, humorist, and radio...
on the nationally syndicated radio show The Writer's Almanac
The Writer's Almanac
The Writer's Almanac is a daily radio and on-line program and podcast of poetry and historical interest pieces, usually of literary significance. It is hosted by Garrison Keillor and is produced and distributed by American Public Media...
. Born in 1954 in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, Simms attended the School of Irish Studies in Dublin, Ireland; Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
(BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
, 1976); and the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
(MFA
Master of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...
, 1978). From 1979-1987 he served on the faculty of Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
and from 2005-2010 in Chatham University Master of Fine Arts Program
Master of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...
in Creative Writing
Creative writing
Creative writing is considered to be any writing, fiction, poetry, or non-fiction, that goes outside the bounds of normal professional, journalistic, academic, and technical forms of literature. Works which fall into this category include novels, epics, short stories, and poems...
.
Since 1998, he is founder and Editor-in-chief of the literary publishing house Autumn House Press
Autumn House Press
Autumn House Press is an independent, non-profit literary publishing company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.In a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette poetry feature, Bob Hoover writes that "Simms says he started the operation after he noticed that the 'large traditional commercial presses, had...
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. He has been the lead editor on over sixty full-length books of poetry and fiction by authors such as Gerald Stern
Gerald Stern
Gerald Stern is an American poet. His work became widely recognized after the 1977 publication of Lucky Life, which was that year's Lamont Poetry Selection, and of a series of essays on writing poetry in American Poetry Review. He has subsequently been given many prestigious awards for his...
, Ed Ochester
Ed Ochester
Edwin Frank Ochester is an American poet and editor.Born September 15 in Brooklyn, New York, he was educated at Cornell University, Harvard University, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
, Jo McDougall, Chana Bloch
Chana Bloch
Chana Bloch is an American poet, translator, and scholar. She is a professor emerita of English at Mills College in Oakland, California.-Life and work:...
, Samuel Ligon, Samuel Hazo
Samuel John Hazo
Dr. Samuel John Hazo is an author of books, including poetry, fiction, essays and plays, and the founder and director of the International Poetry Forum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is also McAnulty Distinguished Professor of English Emeritus at Duquesne University, where he taught for...
, Sue Ellen Thompson, and Richard Jackson, as well as eight anthologies of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Simms also edits the online magazine Coal Hill Review. Simms lives with his wife Eva, a psychologist, and their two children in the historic neighborhood of Mount Washington
Mount Washington (Pittsburgh)
Mount Washington is a neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's south city area. It has a zip code of 15211 and has representation on Pittsburgh City Council by both the council members for District 3 and District 2 .It is known for its steep hill overlooking the Pittsburgh skyline, which was...
overlooking the city of Pittsburgh.
Books
Poetry Collections- Black Stone (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Monkey Sea Editions, 2009)
- The Happiness of Animals (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Monkey Sea Editions, 2006)
- The Fire-eater (Dallas, Texas: Firewheel Press, 1989)
- Migration (Portland, Oregon: Breitenbush Books, 1985)
- Notes on Continuing Light (Des Moines: Blue Buildings, 1981)
Nonfiction
- Longman Dictionary of Poetic Terms (co-author with Jack Myers, New York: Longman, 1989)
- Longman Dictionary and Handbook of Poetry, (co-author with Jack Myers, New York: Longman, 1985)
Anthologies Edited
- The Autumn House Anthology of Contemporary American Poetry (Pittsburgh: Autumn House Press, 2011)
- O. Henry’s Texas Stories (co-editor with Marian McClintock, Dallas: Stillpoint Press, 1986)