Amanda Johnston facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Amanda Johnston
Born	September 18, 1977 East St. Louis, Illinois
Education	Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from University of Southern Maine
Occupation	American Poet

Amanda Johnston (born in 1977) is a well-known African-American poet. She was born in East St. Louis, Illinois, and now lives in Texas. She earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from the University of Southern Maine.

Johnston is more than just a poet; she is also a teacher and an activist. She is a faculty member for the Stonecoast MFA program, where she teaches other writers. She also founded an organization called Torch Literary Arts, which supports Black women writers.

As an activist, Johnston co-founded a project called #BlackPoetsSpeakOut. This project uses videos of African American poets reading their work to bring attention to social justice issues in the United States. She is also part of a group of writers known as Affrilachian poets, who write about their experiences in the Appalachian region of the U.S.

A New Style of Poetry: Genesis

Amanda Johnston is famous for creating a unique style of poetry she calls "Genesis." It's a very creative way to build a poem with many layers.

A Genesis poem is made of five short poems written in separate columns, side-by-side. You can read each of the five poems by itself from top to bottom. But there's more!

• A sixth poem is created when you read all five columns together, from left to right, like reading a normal page.
• A seventh poem is hidden in the italicized words. When you read only the italicized words and phrases from left to right, they form another complete poem.

All the poems in a Genesis piece must also tell a story that moves forward in time.

Awards and Recognition

Johnston has received many awards for her poetry and activism. These awards show how important her work is.

• 2016: Nominated for a Pushcart Prize for her poem “Night Hike”
• 2015: Finalist for the Freedom Plow Award for Poetry & Activism from Split This Rock
• 2014: Received a grant from Poets & Writers
• 2005: Won the Christina Sergeyevna Award at the Austin International Poetry Festival
• 2004 & 2003: Received an Artist Enrichment Grant from the Kentucky Foundation for Women

Selected Works

Amanda Johnston has published her work in many magazines, collections, and online. Here are some of her books and chapbooks (small books of poetry).

• Another Way to Say Enter (2017)
• GUAP (2014)
• Lock and Key (2014)
• Not Another Love Jones (2004)