Susan Rich

Susan Rich
Born
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
OccupationPoet, professor, activist
NationalityAmerican
EducationUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst (BA)
Harvard University (MEd)
University of Oregon (MFA)
GenrePoetry, ekphrasis
Notable worksThe Cartographer’s Tongue, Blue Atlas
Notable awardsPEN USA Award for Poetry, Fulbright Fellowship

Susan Rich (born 1959)[1] is an American poet, editor, and human rights activist[2] based in Seattle, Washington. She is the author of six poetry collections and is a recipient of the PEN USA Award for Poetry.[3]

Early life and education

Rich was born in Boston and raised in Brookline.[4] She is the sister of B. Ruby Rich, a film critic and scholar.[5] She earned her B.A. in creative writing from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Master of international and comparative education from Harvard University.[6] She later completed her MFA at the University of Oregon.[7]

Career

Humanitarian activism

Prior to her teaching career, Rich spent a decade in the international humanitarian sector. She served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Niger[8] and worked for Amnesty International.[9] She has described her experiences as an electoral supervisor in Bosnia and Herzegovina and a human rights trainer in Gaza and the West Bank as central themes in her writing from this time.[10]

Poetry and academia

Rich is an instructor at Highline College in Des Moines, Washington.[11] Her poetry is sometimes noted returning to themes of travel and cartography,[12] and her 2024 collection, Blue Atlas, explores reproductive choice and trauma through a surrealist lens.[13] In addition, she has worked in the poetic genre of ekphrasis.[14]

Bibliography

Poetry collections

  • The Cartographer’s Tongue: Poems of the World. White Pine Press, 2000. ISBN 978-1893996069
  • Cures Include Travel. White Pine Press, 2006. ISBN 978-1893996458
  • The Alchemist’s Kitchen. White Pine Press, 2010. ISBN 978-1935210139[15][16]
  • Cloud Pharmacy. White Pine Press, 2014. ISBN 978-1935210566[17]
  • Gallery of Postcards and Maps: New and Selected Poems. Salmon Poetry, 2022. ISBN 978-1915022134[18]
  • Blue Atlas. Red Hen Press, 2024. ISBN 978-1636281360[19][20][21][22]

Edited volumes

  • The Strangest of Theatres: Poets Writing Across Borders (2013) (Co-edited with Ilya Kaminsky and Brian Turner)
  • Demystifying the Manuscript (2023) (Co-edited with Kelli Russell Agodon)

Awards and honors

References

  1. ^ "Author Information". National Library of Ireland. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  2. ^ Austen, Elizabeth (September 10, 2024). "Seattle Poet Activist Susan Rich Responds To Gaza". KUOW. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  3. ^ a b "Susan Rich". Poets.org. Academy of American Poets. Retrieved 2026-02-26.
  4. ^ "Poets & Writers Directory › Susan Rich". Poets & Writers. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  5. ^ Peelen, Mary. "Interview With Mary Peelen & Susan Rich". Tinderbox Poetry Journal. Tinderbox Poetry Journal. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  6. ^ "Academy of American Poets Directory". poets.org. Academy of American Poets. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  7. ^ "M.F.A. Graduate News" (PDF). Literary Reference: 4. Fall 2005. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  8. ^ Martelli, Jennifer. "Interview with Susan Rich, Author of Blue Atlas". Solstice. 2026 Solstice Literary Magazine. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  9. ^ Frank, Gabriela Denise. "An Interview with Susan Rich". Crab Creek Review. Crab Creek Review. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  10. ^ Glixman, Evan. "An Interview with Poet, Traveler, and Teacher Susan Rich". Eclectica Magazine. Retrieved 2026-02-26.
  11. ^ "Directory". Highline Faculty Directory. Highline College. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  12. ^ Gigot, Jessica. "Mapping the Surreal: A Conversation with Susan Rich BY Jessica Gigot". The Harbor Review. Small Harbor Publishing. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  13. ^ "Blue Atlas by Susan Rich". Red Hen Press. Retrieved 2026-02-26.
  14. ^ Rich, Susan. "Entering the Picture: The Photography of Myra Albert Wiggins". Oregon News. University of Oregon. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  15. ^ Gailey, Jeannine Hall. "The Alchemist's Kitch by Susan Rich". Rattle Poetry. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
  16. ^ Dacus, Rachel. "Cooking Up Transformation: Susan Rich's The Alchemist's Kitchen". Valparaiso Poetry Review. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
  17. ^ Ellis, Katy (2015-08-06). "Fires of the Past Meet the Blue Balm of Now". Poetry Northwest. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
  18. ^ Carter, Pamela Hobart. "Gallery of Postcards and Maps: New and Selected Poems, by Susan Rich". River Mouth Review. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
  19. ^ Carey, Sarah. "Review of Blue Atlas by Susan Rich". Tinderbox Poetry Journal. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
  20. ^ Ellis, Katy E. "North American Review". North American Review. The University of Northern Iowa. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  21. ^ Keatinge, Ben (2024-09-24). "Blue Atlas". The Manhattan Review. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
  22. ^ "Blue Atlas by Susan Rich". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
  23. ^ a b "Susan Rich - Bio". Literary Arts. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  24. ^ "Grantees - Susan Rich". Artist Trust. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
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