Jorrell Watkins

Poet, Spoken Word Artist

Author's Bio

Jorrell Watkins is an educator, writer, and martial artist from Richmond, VA. He is a 2020-21 Fulbright Grant Award recipient for Japan, an alum of Hampshire College and the University of Iowa, Writer’s Workshop. He has received awards from the VQR Writer’s Conference, and Echo Theater Company and fellowships from the Association of University Centers on Disabilities and Smithsonian Institution. His disability inclusive play, Meet us at the Horizon, was produced by Combined Efforts Co. for its 2019 world premiere. His chapbook, If Only the Sharks Would Bite, was selected by Aimee Nezhukumatathil as the winner of the inaugural Desert Pavilion Chapbook Series in Poetry.

Education: 
University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop MFA

Publications & Prizes

Poetry

Chapbook:
If Only the Sharks Would Bite (Black Rock Press, 2020)
Journals:
Diode
,
Juke Joint Magazine
,
Obsidian: Literature & Arts in the African Diaspora

Spoken Word

Performances:
"Cherished Song" featured spoken word performance (2019)
,
BARS Open Mic Feature (2019)
,
Drop the Mic, Featured Poet (2018)
,
Performance at Tuesday Verses Open Mic (2018)
,
Spoken Word Performance as opening for "Word Becomes Flesh" (2014)
,
"Float Away" (2011)
Prizes won: 

Desert Pavilion Chapbook Series in Poetry Inaugural winner 

More Information

Gives readings: 
Yes
Travels for readings: 
Yes
Identifies as: 
African American
Prefers to work with: 
Any
Fluent in: 
English
Raised in: 
Richmond, VA
Virginia
Please note: All information in the Directory is provided by the listed writers or their representatives.
Last update: Oct 16, 2020