RASP: Redmond Association of Spokenword

Erin Malone's new book, Site of Disappearance (Ornithopter Press), was a finalist for the National Poetry Series. She's also the author of Hover (Tebot Bach Press, 2015), and a chapbook, What Sound Does It Make (Concrete Wolf, 2008). Her poems have appeared in Field, New Ohio Review, Salamander, Cimarron, Beloit Poetry Journal, and elsewhere. Formerly the editor of Poetry Northwest, Erin has taught at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, the University of Washington, Hugo House, and with Seattle's Writers in the Schools. She lives on Bainbridge Island, Washington, and works as a bookseller.

Shawn Wong is the author of two prize-winning novels, Homebase and American Knees, and editor/coeditor of six Asian American and American multicultural literary anthologies including the pioneering anthology Aiiieeeee! An Anthology of Asian American Writers, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024. His second novel, American Knees, was made into an award-winning film. He is currently a professor of English and the Byron and Alice Lockwood Professor in the Humanities at the University of Washington. Previously, he directed the creative writing program, chaired the English department, and directed the university honors program. In 2019, he started "Shawn Wong Books," a book series with the University of Washington Press, dedicated to publishing both classic and new Asian American writing.

MC—Michael Dylan Welch

Alexander Smith has been a longtime participant and featured reader at open mic venues throughout the Pacific Northwest, and he also sits in on harmonica with blues bands. Alex has developed a harmonica/poetry style to add to his spoken word, and his poetry is typically ironic free verse. Originally from California, Alex has lived in Seattle since 1989, and is the father of three grown children who "all put their clothes on by themselves and have jobs" he says proudly.

MC—Pamela Denchfield

Michael Keen is a writer from Puyallup, Washington. He has a PhD in English from the University of Louisana at Lafayette, an MFA from Syracuse University, and an MSW from Columbia University. He has worked for many years as a social worker, primarily with people suffering from severe and persistent mental illness. In recent years he has worked as a medical social worker in hospice. His debut novel, Notes from the Trauma Party, was published by Tailwinds Press in 2023.

MC—Darren Nordlie

Julene Tripp Weaver, a psychotherapist and writer in Seattle, has four poetry collections: Slow Now with Clear Skies (MoonPath Press, 2024); Truth Be Bold: Serenading Life & Death in the Age of AIDS (Finishing Line Press, 2017), which won the Bisexual Book Award, four Human Relations Indie Book Awards, and was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Awards; No Father Can Save Her (Plain View Press, 2011); and a chapbook, Case Walking: An AIDS Case Manager Wails Her Blues (Finishing Line Press, 2007). Her poems have appeared in many journals and anthologies, including I Sing the Salmon Home. Visit https://julenetrippweaver.com/.

MC—TBD

Look for us on social media

Look for our frequent messages and writing prompts on Facebook. Follow us, share us, enjoy us. Tweet about us, too, and retweet our tweets.

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/ RedmondAssociationOfSpokenword/
• Twitter: @RedmondRASP
• Contact us: contact.rasp.read@gmail.com