My Reading Life: Mackenzie Kozak got the courage to write No Swaddle after reading Sheila Heti’s Motherhood

My Reading Life: Mackenzie Kozak got the courage to write No Swaddle after reading Sheila Heti’s Motherhood

Mackenzie Kozak‘s no swaddle was selected for the Iowa Poetry Prize by Brenda Shaughnessy. The poetry collection “examines the complex question of whether or not to bear children.” Kozak’s other writing has appeared in Boston ReviewColorado ReviewDIAGRAMjubilatMissouri ReviewMuzzle MagazineSixth FinchTHRUSH Poetry Journal, and elsewhere. Kozak lives in Asheville, North Carolina. She also works as a therapist specializing in grief counseling.

We asked her to answer our recurring My Reading Life questionnaire so readers could get to know the books that inspired her throughout life.

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Announcing the 2025 Poets & Writers Get the Word Out Poetry Cohort

Announcing the 2025 Poets & Writers Get the Word Out Poetry Cohort

Poets & Writers has announced the 2025 poetry cohort for Get the Word Out, a publicity incubator for early career writers. The program gives selected writers an opportunity to work with an experienced book publicist who will guide them in leveraging the opportunity presented by their first or second major book publication.

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6 writers recommend books you’re guaranteed to fall in love with

6 writers recommend books you’re guaranteed to fall in love with

It’s a daunting task to recommend books to someone. What’s their taste, what mood are they in, how do they feel about certain genres, and countless other questions run through my head. So, instead of asking writers to give me recommendations on the spot, I’ve asked them to share books they love. No other qualifications. Just hit Debutiful readers with a book (or a few) they love and think readers will love as well. And, boy, did they deliver!

Here are February’s writer recommendations that Debutiful’s favorite writers guarantee you’ll fall in love with.

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Announcing the 2025 Poets & Writers Get the Word Out Fiction Cohort

Announcing the 2025 Poets & Writers Get the Word Out Fiction Cohort

Poets & Writers has announced the 2025 fiction cohort for Get the Word Out, a publicity incubator for early career writers. The program gives selected writers an opportunity to work with an experienced book publicist who will guide them in leveraging the opportunity presented by their first or second major book publication.

Continue reading “Announcing the 2025 Poets & Writers Get the Word Out Fiction Cohort”

The Best Debut Poetry of 2024

The Best Debut Poetry of 2024

In a continued effort to read more and cover more poetry, Debutiful wanted to highlight a dozen of the best collections Adam Vitcavage read. This list supplements the Best Debut Books of 2024, but moving forward, poetry will blend in with larger lists typically dominated by prose novels and story collections.

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A Life of Books: Perry Janes, author of Find Me When You’re Ready

A Life of Books: Perry Janes, author of Find Me When You’re Ready

In his debut poetry collection, Find Me When You’re Ready, Perry Janes explores a journey from Detroit to Los Angeles, reflecting on the complexities of manhood, the lingering pain of childhood trauma, and the universal search for belonging. Through the lens of pop culture and personal memories, these poems capture a struggle for identity and healing beyond simple definitions, questioning the origins of the myths we carry and whether we can release them.

We had Janes answer our recurring A Life of Books questionnaire so readers could get to know the writer and also get some book recommendations.

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