Carolynn Kingyens

Poet

New York, NY
New York US

Author's Bio

Carolynn Kingyens was born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia, where her red brick row house was prone to chronic leaks. She is the author of two poetry collections, Before the Big Bang Makes a Sound (2020) and Coupling (2021).

Ed Meek, poet, writer, and book reviewer for The Arts Fuse, writes: Kingyens is particularly good at dramatizing paradoxes we cling to in everyday life. She suggests we live lives filled with tragicomedy. 

Barnes & Noble on Instagram: Contemporary, urban, and impassioned, Carolynn Kingyens’ poetry resonates with a darkening echo still felt long after the first read.

In addition to poetry, Kingyens writes essays, reviews, and short fiction. Two short stories were selected for The Best of Fiction 2021 and 2023 by Across the Margin, a Brooklyn arts & culture webzine, including ATM Storytellers, a podcast available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Her poems have been featured in Boxcar Poetry Journal, Schuylkill Valley Journal, The Potomac, Haggard & Halloo, The Orange Room Review, Red Eft Review, Across the Margin, Tuck Magazine, Word Riot, Eunoia Review, Glass: Journal of Poetry, One Art, The Five-Two, and The Somerville Times.

Book and film reviews have been published by Across the Margin and The Arts Fuse (2025). Two essays were republished by YourTango in 2024.

 Since 2020, twelve short stories have been published. These titles include:

Gemma, The Bear (2020)
Fast Car (2020)
Sunglasses At Night (2020)
For Oona (2021)
Moveable Crusade (2021)
The Peggy Effect (2021)
Bye-Bye, Miss American Pie (2021)
Cooper Comes Home (2021)
It Was A Good Day (2022)
The Invitation (2023)
Attachment Theory (2024)
Night Crossing (2024).

Her short fiction story, "The Invitation," can be heard on ATM Storytellers, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

She writes on a myriad of topics ranging from pop culture to true crime on Mediumhttps://medium.com/@ckingyens

Publications & Prizes

Books:
Coupling (Kelsay Books, 2021)
,
Before The Big Bang Makes A Sound (Kelsay Books, 2020)
Prizes won: 

Nominated for Best New Poets

Short stories "Bye-Bye, Miss American Pie" and "The Invitation" were selected by Across the Margin, a Brooklyn arts & culture webzine, for their The Best of Fiction 2021 and 2023, respectively. 

 

 

Personal Favorites

Favorite authors: 
John Irving, Janet Fitch, J.D. Salinger, Saul Bellow, J. California Cooper, C.S. Lewis, David Sedaris, Alice Walker, Ron Samul, Will Self, Jacob M. Appel; Poets - Charles Bukowski, John Wall Barger, Nick Flynn, Billy Collins, Rebecca McClanahan, Louise Gluck, Sharon Olds, Charles Rammelkamp, Corey D. Cook, Doug Holder, Ed Meek, Martha Collins, Gloria Mindock, George Bilgere, Jon Ballard
What I'm reading now: 
Stag's Leap by Sharon Olds , Where It Hurts by Jon Ballard

More Information

Gives readings: 
Yes
Travels for readings: 
Yes
Prefers to work with: 
Any
Fluent in: 
English
Born in: 
Philadelphia , PA
Pennsylvania
Raised in: 
Philadelphia , PA
Pennsylvania
Please note: All information in the Directory is provided by the listed writers or their representatives.
Last update: Jun 10, 2025