Eric M. Ekstrand
825 Chester Rd.
336.408.9875 Winston-Salem, NC 27104
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION University of Houston, Houston, TX 2010
Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
Thesis, “The Day Has Middle Forms,” directed by Tony Hoagland
Studied poetry writing with Tony Hoagland, Mark Doty, Martha Serpas, Bruce Smith and Liz
Waldner
Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 2007
Bachelor of Arts in English, Cum Laude with Honors in English
Studied poetry writing with Conor O’Callaghan, Vona Groarke, Jane Mead and Maya Angelou
Member of Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society
AWARDS Omnidawn 1st/2nd Book Prize, Omnidawn Press, Richmond, CA 2013
AND GRANTS
Institute for Public Engagement Mini-Grant, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 2013
Kathryn A. Morton Prize Semi-Finalist, Sarabande Books, Louisville, KY 2012
Brittingham/Pollak Prizes Semi-Finalist, University of Wisconsin Madison, Madison, WI 2012
National Poetry Series Finalist, The National Poetry Series, Princeton, NJ 2011
Ruth Lilly Fellowship, The Poetry Foundation, Chicago, IL 2009
Inprint/Brown Fellowship, The Inprint and Brown Foundations, Houston, TX 2007
TEACHING Wake Forest University, Assistant Teaching Professor Winston-Salem, NC 2012-Present
AND WORK Courses Taught: First-Year Writing (12 sections); Introduction to Poetry Writing (1 section);
EXPERIENCE The First Year Seminar (2 sections); The Art of the Essay (1 section)
Conducted 3 Independent Studies and Directed Readings with upper-division poetry students
University of Houston, Visiting Assistant Professor, Houston, TX 2007-2012
Courses Taught: First-Year Writing (19 sections); Introduction to Poetry Writing (1 section);
The Art of Literary Editing and Publishing (1 Section); American Literary Cultures
(1 section); Introduction to Poetry, Literature; (1 section); Introduction to Fiction, Literature (1 section)
Supervised groups of ten to twelve teaching assistants each semester, visiting classrooms,
meeting one-on-one and organizing monthly small group conversations over writing pedagogy and professional development
Served on panels at department pedagogical conferences twice annually
Guest-lectured multiple times in the Graduate-level Introduction to Writing Pedagogy course
Boldface Conference, Conference Administrator, Houston, TX 2009-2010
Founded, organized and ran a national summer writing conference for emerging writers at the University of Houston
Managed a staff of 17 undergraduate students
Managed a faculty of 10 graduate students
Organized conference space, food, and events for over eighty participants
Organized two national advertising campaigns
Aided in grant writing
Organized fundraising events
Advised the undergraduate literary journal at UH, Glass Mountain
Gulf Coast: A Journal of Literature and Fine Art, Poetry Editor, Houston, TX 2008-2010
Selected poetry content for the magazine
Solicited work from established and emerging poets
Managed a volunteer reading staff of six
Helped to organize readings and events connected with the journal
Represented the Magazine at the annual AWP conference three years in a row
Writers in the Schools (WITS), WITS Writer, Houston, TX 2007-2012
Administered weekly creative writing lessons in four public elementary classrooms
Created and printed anthologies of student writings
Acted as a Resident Writer at Menil Collection of Contemporary Art and the Blaffer Gallery
Co-taught at year-round community workshop in association with Discovery Green and the
Houston Public Library
Ran summer creative writing workshops for second and third graders yearly
Gave two lectures on experiential learning and writing as part of new faculty orientations
Attended WITS-sponsored teaching workshops and professional development seminars
Inprint, Workshop Instructor, Houston, TX 2011
Designed and taught one continuing education writing course on creative non-fiction for
area public and private school teachers
Jung Center, Houston, Workshop Instructor, Houston, TX 2009-2010
Co-designed and Co-taught three courses on invention, collaboration and surprise
Piedmont Craftsmen, Sales Associate, Winston-Salem, NC 2005-2007
Assisted with sales, shipping, and floor upkeep.
Assisted with advertising for in-shop featured artist shows and the annual Piedmont Crafts Fair.
Poetry Magazine, Intern, Chicago, IL 2006
Assisted in manuscript selection
Assisted in copy-editing and fact-checking
Wrote a Web Exclusive for the Poetry Magazine Website
Assisted in building a catalogue of old runs
Assisted with set-up and administration of sponsored readings and other events
Assisted with data entry
Assisted with the processing of new manuscripts for consideration
PUBLICATIONS Full-Length Collections of Poetry
Laodicea. Richmond: Omnidawn Press, 2015. Print.
Literary Journals, Magazines, and Other Periodicals
“The Nemesis of Weekends”; “The Nemesis that Causes the Evening to Smudge.” Catch Up: A
Journal of Comics and Literature. Fall 2012. Vol.I, No. 3.
“It Is Crucial To Be Able To Spot One.” jubilat. Fall 2010. No. 18.
“Plumblossom [Like my burned –up mom and dad]” ; “Plumblossom [To be a tree in the style
of a man]” ; “Plumblossom [The dead can’t mourn themselves]” ; “Cherryblossom [When there is a moment, in a moment leave it behind]” ; “Cherryblossom [The artless radish my heart].” Bat City Review. Spring, 2010. No. 6.
“Plumblossom [The spine is a slide of human marvels]” ; “Plumblossom [Out here in the
desert].” Poetry. November, 2009. Vol.CXCV, No. 2.
“Applebough [In October, I have the often unrealized sense].” Indiana Review. Summer,
2009. Vol. XXXI, No. 1.
“Plumblossom [There is something always emerging]” ; “Plumblossom [Rain like scratches
on metal].” Ink Node. Summer, 2009.
“Appleblossom [I can see the horse twitch].” Black Warrior Review. Spring 2009, Vol.
XXXV, No. 2.
“Applebough [Knock on their jackets]” ; “Appleblossom [The rishis smile in silent reflection]” ;
“Appleblossom [Here’s the thing about the All-thing]” ; “Appleblossom [The roots of even the largest apple].” New South. Spring, 2009. Vol. II, No. 1.
“Appleblossom [When history turns soldiers into battles]” ; “Appleblossom [Difficult shacks
of Kushiro]” ;“Appleblossom [Clamber out of the morning river]” ; “Appleblossom [Basho, with your grass pillow]” ; “Appleblossom [I have a need to ventilate].” Poetry. October, 2008. Vol. CXCIII, No. 1.
Interviews, Reviews, and Criticism
“A Live Fish in the Hand: A Review-Essay on the Soul-Powers of the Prose Poem.” Gulf Coast. Spring, 2009. Vol. XXI, No.2.
“Elsewheres and Inbetweens: An Interview with Stephanie Strickland.” Gulf Coast Online. Fall,
2008.
CONFERENCE The Association of Writers and Writing Programs National Conference, Minneapolis, MN 2015
PRESENTATIONS “Omnidawn Press Reading”
AND PANELS
Words Awake! Wake Forest University Writing Alumni Colloquium, Winston-Salem, NC 2012
“Making a Mess: Poetry Writing and Teaching”; “Storm and Stress: The Irrational, Dictation,
and the Practice from Outside.”
The Association of Writers and Writing Programs National Conference, Chicago, IL 2012
“It Would Appall Them If it Did: Developing a Literary Community for Emerging Writers"
The American Academy of Religion National Conference, Atlanta, GA 2010
“A Unity in Complexity: The Influence of Chan on the Sensed, the Imagined, and the Quizzical
in Wallace Stevens”
READINGS New Southern Voices—Hub City, Spartanburg, SC 2014
AND
APPEARANCES USC Shark’s Parlor Reading Series, Columbia, SC 2013
Moores School of Music, Houston, TX 2012
Public Poetry, Houston, TX 2012
Words Awake!, Winston-Salem, NC 2012
Rice University, Houston ,TX 2011
Poison Pen Reading Series, w/ Matthew Zapruder, Houston, TX 2011
Washington Square Reading Series, New York, NY 2010
New Philadelphia Poets Reading Series, Philadelphia, PA 2010
Gulf Coast Reading Series, Houston, TX 2010
The Poet’s Corner, Houston, TX 2010
KPFT Radio, Houston, TX. 2010
Poetry and Prose Reading Series, Houston, TX 2008
SERVICE Wake Forest, Dillon Johnson Reading Series, Winston-Salem, NC 2014
Co-Hosted Reading of National Poetry Prize Winner, Hannah Gamble
Wake Forest, Lower Division Student Adviser, Winston-Salem, NC 2013- Present
Advised 18 students on their degree plans, courses of study, semester schedules and habits of good studenting
Referred advisees to campus resources
Organized welcome events for freshmen advisees during their orientation
Wake Forest, DA Brown Award Reader, Winston-Salem, NC 2013-Present
Read nominated student work and helped select prize winners.
Wake Forest, Writing Program Wellness at Work Committee Founder and Chair, Winston-Salem, NC 2013-Present
Conducted a study into equity of lecturer pay and its effect on retention and program development resulting in
a significant program-wide salary adjustment approved by the Deans of the College and Provost
Organized hiking trips, cocktail outings for new faculty and other team-building events.
Organized a teaching circle where writing program faculty can discuss teaching openly with their colleagues.
Organized a day-long program retreat.
Wake Forest, Wake Up to Poetry Contest Founding Co-Coordinator, Winston-Salem, NC 2013- Present
Organized with Wake Forest Press a student poetry contest, reading and award ceremony
Co-Coordinated the judging and live reading with poets Adrian Rice, David Roderick and Rachel Richardson
Solicited student submissions and coordinated with editors of the student literary journal, 3 to 4 ounces
MC’d the award ceremony at Community Arts Café
Hub City Writer’s Project, New Southern Voices Book Prize Reader, Spartanburg, SC 2013
Read for initial round of judging for the New Southern Voices Book Prize in its inaugural year
Wake Forest, First Year Writing Committee Member, Winston-Salem, NC 2012-Present
Juried Proposals for new first year writing courses
Reviewed and revised the first year writing program-wide course goals and description
Judged the D.A. Brown Award for Student Writing
Poetry Magazine, Ruth Lilly Fellowship Screener, Chicago, IL 2012
Read for initial round of judging for the annual Ruth Lilly Fellowship
Rice University, R2 Contest Judge, Houston TX 2011
Judge for poetry contest for Rice University’s Undergraduate Literary Journal
UH English Department, Upper Division Committee Member, Houston TX 2010-2012
Assisted in evaluation of new courses and of the upper-division curriculum generally
Assisted in evaluating writing achievement in graduating seniors
Assisted in the establishment of a department listserv
Assisted in the judging of end of the year student achievement awards
Assisted in the development of a “senior experience” requirement
UH Undergraduate Creative Writing Concentration, Portfolio Reader, Houston TX 2009
Hand-picked as part of the inaugural team of portfolio readers on the admissions committee
Defined and implemented the terms for admittance that would be used by future readers
Glass Mountain, Graduate Student Advisor, University of Houston 2007- 2010
Advised undergraduate literary magazine editorial staff
Attended staff meetings and magazine events
UH English Department, New TA Orientation and Spring Conference, Houston, TX 2008-2009
Presented on challenges for new teachers and practical strategies for dealing with these as part
of the yearly orientation for new teaching assistants for Rhetoric and Composition
courses
Presented yearly at the Spring Mini-Conference on topics of Pedagogy, Rhetoric and
Composition Theory, as well as best practices for teaching First-Year Writing II
PROFESSIONAL Wake Forest, Safe-zone Training 2014
DEVELOPMENT Attended a workshop on gender, sex, and LGBTQ concerns on campus
Pledged to be an ally to the LGBTQ campus community
Wake Forest, Contemplative Pedagogy Learning Community 2013-2014
Selected from a competitive pool of WFU faculty to participate in a year-long learning community
Went on a university-sponsored three-day learning trip to Naropa University in Boulder, CO
Organized a film screening of Crazy Wisdom
Developed syllabi with contemplative approaches
Met in bi-weekly discussion groups
Engaged in contemplative workshop activities
Attended a weekend-long meditation retreat
Met with students in a contemplative First Year Seminar
Gave a report on changes in my teaching practice
Wake Forest, Sakai Training Cycle 2012
Attended training sessions on the Sakai open-source learning platform
Wake Forest, Teaching and Learning Center Workshops 2012-2013
Attended workshops on first year student writing, the WFU Directed Self-Placement, evaluating writing, building
syllabi, and more.
Wake Forest, Office of Multicultural Affairs Gateway Cycle 2013
Attended a workshop in diversity in the workplace
Wake Forest, Writing Program Workshops 2013
Attended workshops on teaching writing in the First Year Seminar
OTHER Sewanee Writer’s Conference, Attendee, Sewanee, TN 2008
STUDY Participated in workshops led by Claudia Emerson and Mark Jarman
Casa Artom, Venice, Italy 2004
Completed studies in Italian language and culture at Wake Forest in conjunction with Università
Ca’Foscari di Venezia
ACTIVITIES/ St. Anne’s Episcopal Church Choir 2012-Present
VOLUNTEER Sang in Ensemble Choir, Men’s Ensemble, and Bell Choir
WORK
University of the South at Sewanee School of Divinity’s Education For Ministry Program 2012-Present
Completed a course of study in the Old Testament through the continuing education program
WFU English Meditation Group 2013- Present
Met weekly with an inter-faith group of English Faculty to meditate, read and discuss
Houston Shambhala Meditation Center, Co-Director, Houston, TX 2010-2012
Held responsibility for the overall fiscal and curricular health and growth of a center with over 30 active members
Three to Four Ounces Literary Magazine, Editor-in-Chief, Wake Forest University 2005-2007
Administered art and literary selection and edited selected work
Solely organized the design and printing of two issues of the journal
Oversaw a volunteer staff of six
Aided in advertisement and distribution of journal
Organized readings and events associated with the journal
English Students Association, President, Wake Forest University 2005-2007
Helped Organize campus readings for poets Adam Zagajewski and Dr. Evie Shockley
Worked with WS/FC Library to bring Tony Hoagland to their “On the Same Poem Series”
Organized Tony Hoagland’s reading at Wake Forest University
Worked within the department to represent student concerns
SPECIAL Computer
SKILLS
Programs: MS Office Suite, some InDesign, Photoshop, FileMaker
Operating Systems: Microsoft Windows 7 and Mac OSX Lion
Hardware: mobile devices, computer systems, peripheral equipment
Languages: novice comprehension of HTML
Databases: EBSCOhost, JSTOR, Academic Search Complete
Classroom Technology: Blackboard, Sakai, Turn-it-in.com, Personal Devices, AV equipment, Edublogs, Google Drive, Kaizena
Language
Intermediate comprehension of Italian and Old English
Novice comprehension of French
Affiliations
American Academy of Poets
Association of Writers and Writing Programs
American Academy of Religion