"Joe Wilkins is a writer of great power and heart, and Fall Back Down When I Die is a riveting and timely novel.” – Jess Walter, National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestselling author of Beautiful Ruins
It’s been months since I’ve had a chance to catch up here. And, Lord, what months they’ve been. Loads of adventure, sadness, and grace. You can read through it all over at my Substack.
My latest collection of poetry, Pastoral, 1994, is in a second printing. I’m pretty doggone proud of it. If you haven’t picked it up yet, do so and let me know what you think!
In Conversation with Jon Hickey at Powell’s Books April 10, 2025 at 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209, USA
Get Lit Author Reception April 11, 2025 at 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce, 207 N Spruce St, Cannon Beach, OR 97110, USA
Joe Wilkins: An Author Conversation and Signing at Get Lit April 12, 2025 at 10:30 am – 12:00 pm Surfsand Resort, 148 W Gower Ave, Cannon Beach, OR 97110, USA
Q&A with Get Lit Festival Authors April 13, 2025 at 10:00 am – 11:00 am, Coaster Theatre Playhouse, 108 N Hemlock St, Cannon Beach, OR 97110, USA
Montana Poetry Barnstorming Tour, Corrie Williamson & Joe Wilkins: Billings! April 16, 2025 at 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm, MSUB – LA 205Sue Hart Memorial Reading Series: Corrie Williamson & Joe Wilkins, https://thishouseofbooks.com/upcoming-events
Montana Poetry Barnstorming Tour, Corrie Williamson & Joe Wilkins: Helena! April 17, 2025 at 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm, Montana Book Company, 331 N Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT 59601 Join us for an evening of beautiful poetry set in rural corners of Montana, The West and beyond. https://mtbookco.com/event/2025-04-17/pastoral-poetry-corrie-williamson-joe-wilkins
Montana Poetry Barnstorming Tour, Corrie Williamson & Joe Wilkins: Missoula! April 18, 2025 at 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Fact and Fiction, Bookshttps://www.factandfictionbooks.com/event/new-poetry-joe-wilkins-and-corrie-williamson
Earth Words May 1, 2025 at 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts – PRAx, 470 SW 15th St, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA, Earth Words will be an evening to celebrate and uplift the many kinds of environmental writing we need in this moment in history: stories that help us imagine new futures, writing that deepens our love for the world, and voices that resoundingly speak up for justice for all people and for our more-than-human kin. This…
NW Voices Reading Series May 6, 2025 at 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm, Longview Public Library, 1600 Louisiana St, Longview, WA 98632, USA
Joe Wilkins and Margaret Chula at Annie Bloom’s Books May 15, 2025 at 7:00 pm – 8:00 pmhttps://annieblooms.com/event/2025-05-15/poetry-reading-margaret-chula-joe-wilkins
Wine and Words, a Writers’ Gathering at Linfield University June 6, 2025 – June 8, 2025, Linfield University, 900 SE Baker St, McMinnville, OR 97128 Linfield University is proud to present Words and Wine, a gathering for writers of all experience levels set in the heart of Oregon wine country. The weekend will feature four workshop sessions conducted by featured guest faculty; a writing process and publishing panel; faculty and attendee readings; and an opening celebration and wine tasting featuring…
Orion Writing Workshop June 15, 2025 – June 20, 2025 Omega Institute for Holistic Studies, 150 Lake Dr, Rhinebeck, NY 12572, USA
38th Summer Fishtrap Gathering of Writers: Home July 7, 2025 – July 13, 2025 Wallowa Lake Lodge, 60060 Wallowa Lake Hwy, Joseph, OR 97846, USAhttps://fishtrap.org/summer-fishtrap-2025/
I’ve gotten a bit behind posting news here. The big news, of course, is my latest book of poetry, Pastoral, 1994, which is the first book I’ve done that’s a straight run—no sections or breaks—and though you’ll find here elegies, aubades, and songs, the sonnet or the ghost of the sonnet haunts most of these poems, which explore rural spaces, rural culture, and rural identity; the late years of the farm crisis in eastern Montana; and wonder, wildness, grief, loss, ecological devastation, and masculinity.
You can find out more about the book, and catch up on other news, via my two latest newsletters (clink on the images for links!)
This Saturday is going to be all kinds of amazing. Check out the full schedule, and here’s an interview with me about the festival over at Oregon ArtsWatch. I’ll be reading and speaking with the amazing Renee Watson (my daughter is so excited to meet her!) at 5 PM at the Portland Art Museum.
Stories of intergenerational kinship, families original and found, of loss and healing from Renée Watson (skin & bones) and Joe Wilkins (The Entire Sky), with moderator Mitchell S. Jackson (Survival Math and Fly: The Big Book of Basketball Fashion).
From a lovely run through the mountains of western Montana to a graduate school reunion in Idaho and just lately closing the Sisters Saloon down with John Larison and Willy Vlautin, the last month and change have been all kinds of wonderful. And I’m not hanging up my spurs just yet! Love to see you in the coming weeks in Corvallis, Canton, Brooklyn, McMinnville, Bend, Salem, or Portland.
Been on the road with The Entire Sky and am just catching up here. So good to be sharing stories with you all. Here’s to the next song on the radio and the next stop!
The Entire Sky lands tomorrow. It’s been a long journey. I’m thrilled–and also anxious and nervous and so, so excited to host a pint with you when I come through town!
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