James Cole

James Cole is a writer, poet, scientist, and amateur filmmaker based in Charlottesville, VA. Originally from Roanoke, he attended The College of William and Mary where he studied neuroscience, medieval history, and creative writing. In 2023, he earned his Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the University of Virginia Medical School, where he studied retina development and degeneration. He is currently a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at West Virginia University.  

His work has appeared in many publications, including Jump!, Oddball Magazine, Rudderless Mariner, Artemis Journal, and Vita Brevis. In 2016 he won The Gallery Poetry Prize and in 2017 he was a semi-finalist for the Virginia Writers' Club Golden Nib Award. His first poetry collection, Crow, come home, was released in November 2019, by VerbaleEyze Press. 

Aside from his publishing credits, James is very involved in the Virginia arts community. He is the founder of the Charlottesville Poetry Critique Circle and a community organizer for the Live Poets Society. James has also taught poetry composition at the VWC Annual Conference, the WritersHouse, and at local Virginia schools. He has performed at countless venues across Virginia, including the Miller School, The Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative, and the Eunoia Creative Arts Community. In 2022, he co-founded the online literary journal, The Rumen, alongside Dave Sorensen, and he continues to serve as Poetry and Fiction Editor. 

In addition to his poetry, James is writing a novel, making short films, and working on a podcast.