Erica Dawson facts for kids

Erica Dawson is a talented American poet and a university professor. She has written three collections of poems that have won awards and been praised by many.

Who is Erica Dawson?

Erica Dawson was born in 1979 in Columbia, Maryland. She grew up there and later went to several universities to study writing. She earned a bachelor's degree from Johns Hopkins University. Then, she received a Master of Fine Arts degree in Poetry from Ohio State University. She also earned a PhD from the University of Cincinnati.

Erica's Amazing Poetry Books

Erica Dawson has written three well-known poetry collections. Her first book, Big-Eyed Afraid, was published in 2007. It was chosen for a special poetry prize by Mary Jo Salter. It was also named the Best Debut of 2007 by the Contemporary Poetry Review.

Her second book, The Small Blades Hurt, came out in 2014. This collection won the 2016 Poets' Prize. Her third book, When Rap Spoke Straight to God, was published in 2018. Erica's poems have also appeared in many other literary magazines and collections. These include Barrow Street and Blackbird. Her work was also featured in The Best American Poetry in 2008, 2012, and 2015.

What Makes Her Poetry Special?

Erica Dawson is known for her unique way of using traditional forms in her poems. Traditional forms mean poems that follow specific rules for rhythm and rhyme. In 2010, another poet, A.E. Stallings, said that Erica had become very popular among poets who use these traditional styles. These poets are sometimes called New Formalists.

Where Does Erica Dawson Live and Work?

Today, Erica Dawson lives in Tampa, Florida. She is the director of a special writing program at the University of Tampa. This program helps writers earn their Master of Fine Arts degree. She also works as the poetry editor for the Tampa Review magazine.