"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!
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!
joewilkins.org 