Barbara Jane Reyes
Encyclopedia
Barbara Jane Reyes is an American poet whose work "explores the translatable and untranslatable collisions of writing self and culture."
She was born in Manila
, Philippines
and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area
. She received her B.A. in Ethnic Studies at UC Berkeley. As an undergraduate, "served as editor in chief
for maganda magazine, and witnessed the emergence of Filipino American literary figures."
She received her M.F.A. at San Francisco State University
. She is the author of Gravities of Center (Arkipelago, 2003), Poeta en San Francisco (Tinfish, 2005), for which she received the James Laughlin Award
of the Academy of American Poets, and Diwata (BOA Editions, Ltd.
, 2010).
Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in numerous publications, including 2nd Avenue Poetry, Asian Pacific American Journal, Boxcar Poetry Review, Chain, Crate, Interlope, New American Writing
, Nocturnes Review, North American Review
, Notre Dame Review, Parthenon West Review, as well as in the anthologies Babaylan (Aunt Lute Books
, 2000), Eros Pinoy (Anvil, 2001), InvAsian: Asian Sisters Represent (Study Center Press, 2003), Going Home to a Landscape (Calyx, 2003), Coloring Book (Rattlecat, 2003), Not Home But Here (Anvil, 2003), Pinoy Poetics (Meritage, 2004), Asian Americans in the San Francisco Bay Area (Avalon Publishing, 2004), 100 Love Poems: Philippine Love Poetry Since 1905 (University of the Philippines Press, 2004), Red Light: Superheroes, Saints and Sluts (Arsenal Pulp Press
, 2005), and Graphic Poetry (Victionary, 2005).
She has taught Creative Writing
at Mills College
, and Philippine Studies at University of San Francisco
. She lives with her husband, poet Oscar Bermeo, in Oakland, CA.
Chapbooks
Poems Online
Reviews and Interviews
Audio/Video Links
She was born in Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
. She received her B.A. in Ethnic Studies at UC Berkeley. As an undergraduate, "served as editor in chief
Editor in chief
An editor-in-chief is a publication's primary editor, having final responsibility for the operations and policies. Additionally, the editor-in-chief is held accountable for delegating tasks to staff members as well as keeping up with the time it takes them to complete their task...
for maganda magazine, and witnessed the emergence of Filipino American literary figures."
She received her M.F.A. at San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University is a public university located in San Francisco, California. As part of the 23-campus California State University system, the university offers over 100 areas of study from nine academic colleges...
. She is the author of Gravities of Center (Arkipelago, 2003), Poeta en San Francisco (Tinfish, 2005), for which she received the James Laughlin Award
James Laughlin Award
The James Laughlin Award, formerly the Lamont Poetry Prize, is given annually for a poet's second published book; it is the only major poetry award that honors a second book...
of the Academy of American Poets, and Diwata (BOA Editions, Ltd.
BOA Editions, Ltd.
BOA Editions, Ltd. is an American independent, non-profit literary publishing company located in Rochester, New York, founded in 1976 by the late poet, editor and translator, A...
, 2010).
Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in numerous publications, including 2nd Avenue Poetry, Asian Pacific American Journal, Boxcar Poetry Review, Chain, Crate, Interlope, New American Writing
New American Writing
New American Writing is a once-a-year American literary magazine emphasizing contemporary American poetry, including a range of innovative contemporary writing. The magazine is published in association with San Francisco State University. New American Writing is published by OINK! Press, a...
, Nocturnes Review, North American Review
North American Review
The North American Review was the first literary magazine in the United States. Founded in Boston in 1815 by journalist Nathan Hale and others, it was published continuously until 1940, when publication was suspended due to J. H. Smyth, who had purchased the magazine, being unmasked as a Japanese...
, Notre Dame Review, Parthenon West Review, as well as in the anthologies Babaylan (Aunt Lute Books
Aunt Lute Books
Aunt Lute Books is a multicultural feminist press whose mission is to "publish literature by women whose voices have been traditionally under-represented in mainstream and small press publishing" and "distribute literature that expresses the true complexity of women’s lives and the possibilities...
, 2000), Eros Pinoy (Anvil, 2001), InvAsian: Asian Sisters Represent (Study Center Press, 2003), Going Home to a Landscape (Calyx, 2003), Coloring Book (Rattlecat, 2003), Not Home But Here (Anvil, 2003), Pinoy Poetics (Meritage, 2004), Asian Americans in the San Francisco Bay Area (Avalon Publishing, 2004), 100 Love Poems: Philippine Love Poetry Since 1905 (University of the Philippines Press, 2004), Red Light: Superheroes, Saints and Sluts (Arsenal Pulp Press
Arsenal Pulp Press
Arsenal Pulp Press is a Canadian independent book publishing company, based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The company publishes a broad range of titles in both fiction and non-fiction, and is noted for founding the annual Three-Day Novel Contest .Authors who have been published by Arsenal Pulp ...
, 2005), and Graphic Poetry (Victionary, 2005).
She has taught Creative Writing
Creative writing
Creative writing is considered to be any writing, fiction, poetry, or non-fiction, that goes outside the bounds of normal professional, journalistic, academic, and technical forms of literature. Works which fall into this category include novels, epics, short stories, and poems...
at Mills College
Mills College
Mills College is an independent liberal arts women's college founded in 1852 that offers bachelor's degrees to women and graduate degrees and certificates to women and men. Located in Oakland, California, Mills was the first women's college west of the Rockies. The institution was initially founded...
, and Philippine Studies at University of San Francisco
University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco , is a private, Jesuit/Catholic university located in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1855, USF was established as the first university in San Francisco. It is the second oldest institution for higher learning in California and the tenth-oldest university of...
. She lives with her husband, poet Oscar Bermeo, in Oakland, CA.
Published works
Full-Length Poetry Collections- Diwata (BOA Editions, Ltd.BOA Editions, Ltd.BOA Editions, Ltd. is an American independent, non-profit literary publishing company located in Rochester, New York, founded in 1976 by the late poet, editor and translator, A...
, 2010). - Poeta en San Francisco (Tinfish Press, 2005).
- Gravities of Center (Arkipelago Books, 2003).
Chapbooks
- Easter Sunday (Ypolita Press, 2008).
- Cherry (Portable Press at Yo-Yo Labs, 2008).
- West Oakland Sutra for the AK-47 Shooter at 3:00 AM and other Oakland poems (Deep Oakland Editions, 2008).
Poems Online
- "One Question, Several Answers." Kartika Review, Spring 2010.
- "The Night Manny Pacquiao KO’ed Oscar De La Hoya." The Rumpus, 2009.
- “Estuary,” “Cherry,” “Pink.” Octopus Magazine, Issue 8.
- “Black Jesus Speaks to Typhoon.” The November 3rd Club, 2009.
- “[galleon prayer],” “[a compendium of angels],” “[diwata taga ilog at dagat].” HOW2, 2006.
External links
Reviews and Interviews
- National Book Critics Circle: Small Press Spotlight September 2010
- RAINTAXI online Winter 2006/2007
- The Pedestal Magazine > Archives > ISSUE THIRTY-FIVE Aug-Oct (06) > Reviews > Barbara Jane Reyes's Poeta en San Francisco reviewed by Collin Kelley
- Eileen TabiosEileen TabiosEileen Tabios is an award-winning Filipino-American poet, fiction writer, conceptual/visual artist, editor, anthologist, critic, and publisher....
interviews Barbara Jane Reyes and Paolo Javier
Audio/Video Links