|
·
Sue Scalf- born in Barbourville, Kentucky, and
she and her late husband Samuel spent twenty years with the Air Force,
traveling in several states, and living in England for three years.
Sue Scalf received her masters summa cum laude from Troy State
University in 1980. For many years she taught English and creative
writing at the Montgomery Academy, at Alabama Christian (Faulkner) and
at Troy State University. The author of seven books of poetry, she
has twice been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, once by
Ann George for the book Ceremony of Names and again by John Chambers
for South by Candlelight. Her book of poetry What the Moon Knows was
named book of the year in 2003 by the Alabama State Poetry Society.
She is now retired from teaching, but continues to write, winning
eight Hackney awards, and over 100 awards in other poetry
competitions. She continues to conduct poetry readings and workshops
throughout Alabama and in Tennessee and Georgia. Her work appears in
many journals and anthologies in the United States and as far away as
Scotland. Although she lives in Alabama, her roots remain in the
mountains of Kentucky. Both her daughter Mrs. Wendell Hartzog (Kathy)
and her grandchildren, Chris Brink and Leslie Hartzog live in South
Carolina. Sue published two books of poetry in 2008, Bearing the
Print and Burnt Offerings. What others have said about her
work:Comments on an advance copy of Burnt Offerings:. . . amazingly
insightful to give the other deeper human side to these characters
from the Bible. It truly does do what so many preachers try to do, and
frequently are unable to accomplish, bringing the Bible to life. These
poems provide such an opportunity for discussion, for acknowledgment,
for confession, for learning, for sharing.” Brenda Stivale, realtor,
Pennsylvania What others have said about previous work:“My god, Sue,
your poetry has crystalized into pure excellence. If you never wrote
another word you have given us a priceless gift to literature with
your work. I stand amazed, in awe. . . “–Delores Pope, retired
librarian, Birmingham, Alabama “I found your poems courageous and
unflinching. You addressed the most difficult of subjects without
cynicism or cloying sentimentality.”–Allen Berry, reviewer,
Huntsville, Alabama. A recently completed
chapbook just won first prize in the Alabama Chapbook Competition
sponsored by Negative Capability Press, Mobile. This means a cash
prize and publication, so the book will be ready for the next Writers'
Row. The title is "What Stays With Us." Several of the poems have
Kentucky settings.
|