Nicole Jean Turner

Poet

Worcester, MA
Massachusetts US
Website: 
www.NicoleJeanTurner.com
RSS feed: 
NJTurner.substack.com

Author's Bio

Nicole Jean Turner is a hand-patched and sticker-smattered writer from New England, who hopes to somehow prove in an age of exploitative viral soundbites, shrinking attention spans, and computer generated companionship, that the written word is still worth our time. Turner is the Poet Laureate of Worcester, Massachusetts for 2026-2028.

Education: 
Regis University MFA

Publications & Prizes

Anthologies:
Sick of Being Sick (Coin Operated Press, 2026)
,
TBA (Running Wild Press, 2026)
Book:
With Only Which She Could Carry (UWA Publishing, 2020)
Journals:
Cathexis Northwest Press
,
Edify Fiction
,
From the Depths
,
Healing Muse
,
Memezine
,
Riding Light Review
,
Salamander
,
Sanskrit
,
Sisyphus
,
Splash
,
The Voices Project
,
Unstamatic
,
Voicemail Poems
Prizes won: 

  • Poet Laureate (2026 - 2028) - City of Worcester

  • WAC Fellow, 2026, Massachusetts Cultural Council 

  • Gold Medal – Vilanelle, Massachusetts Poetry Olympics 2025

  • Iron Poet Champion Aug. 2025

  • Second Place, Fox Fest Poetry Slam, Nov. 2024

  • Second Place, ARTivism Initiative, May 2020

  • $500 Grand Prize for Poetry Manuscript - Underground Writers Association, Sept. 2019

  • Coffee Stout and Rain Water (chapbook) fully funded by readers and selected by GFM for $1000 award, Jan. 2017

  • Open Mic-er Of The Year - “RUCKUSY” Awards, Dec. 2016

  • Certificate of Honor in Poetry - Syracuse Poetry Awards, Apr. 2014

  • Denise Gasiorowski Award: Passion for Language and Writing - Newhouse, Apr. 2014

  • National Center for Women in Technology State Award, National Runner-Up, 2011

Watch

Listen

Personal Favorites

Favorite authors: 
Ada Limón, Patrick Lawler, J.J. Abrams, Alex Garland, E.A. Poe, Chuck Palahniuk, Billy Collins, Andrea Gibson, Craig Clevenger, & the alumni of the Attic 2017

More Information

Gives readings: 
Yes
Travels for readings: 
Yes
Identifies as: 
Czech American, Disabled, Queer
Prefers to work with: 
Adults, Disability, LGBTQ
Fluent in: 
English
Born in: 
MA
Massachusetts
Please note: All information in the Directory is provided by the listed writers or their representatives.
Last update: Oct 14, 2026