Jeffrey Cyphers Wright

Poet

New York, NY
New York US

Author's Bio

Jeffrey Cyphers Wright is a publisher, critic, eco-activist, impresario, singer/songwriter, and artist, but he is best known as a New York School, New Romantic, Surrealist poet. He is author of 19 books of verse, including Doppelgängster from MadHat Press, Blue Lyre from Dos Madres Press, Triple Crown, Sonnets from Spuyten Duyvil, and Party Everywhere from Xanadu. He completed a biography of the world's largest art gallery's founder, The Book of Albert, which was published by Park West. He also edited Over the Years, an anthology of oral histories from Harlem that was published by Teachers & Writers Collaborative. He graduated from West Virginia University where he was a student with his friend Jayne Anne Phillips. His archive is now at the University library. He received his MFA from Brooklyn College after studying with William Matthews and Allen Ginsburg (who wrote a forward for Wright's book Take Over.) For many years he published Cover Magazine, The Underground National. Currently he publishes Live Mag!, a journal of art and poetry. He recently produced a film highlighting his puppet shows called “Pandemic Puppet Jam,” on Youtube. Wright continues to produce literary events in conjunction with various publications and institutions including La Mama, E.T.C. and the New York Public Library.  He has possibly booked more readings at more venues than anyone ever. His lively presence as an MC has earned him the moniker Uncle Fun.

 

Publications & Prizes

Anthologies:
The Best American Poetry 2023 (Scribner, 2023)
,
Out Loud: Nuyorican Poets Cafe (Henry Holt, 1995)
,
Out of this World (Crown Publications, 1991)
,
Up Late (Four Walls Eight Windows Press, 1987)
Books:
Party Everywhere (Xanadu, 2019)
,
Blue Lyre (Dos Madres Press, 2018)
,
Triple Crown, Sonnets (Spuyten Duyvil, 2012)
Chapbook:
The Name Poems (Sisyphus Press, 2010)
Journals:
Exquisite Corpse
,
LiVE MAG!
,
Pierogi Press
, , ,
Vanitas Magazine
Prizes won: 

Theater for the New City Poetry Contest Winner,

Kathy Acker Award Winner for Poetry and Publishing. 
 

James Tate Poetry Prize winner from SurVision Press. 

Personal Favorites

Favorite authors: 
Ted Berrigan, Bob Kaufman, Marina Tsvetaeva, Sharon Mesmer, John Ashbery, Allen Ginsberg, Will Alexander, Jose Padua, Elaine Equi.
What I'm reading now: 
Retreat to a Safe Place by Hilary Mantel

More Information

Gives readings: 
Yes
Travels for readings: 
Yes
Identifies as: 
American
Prefers to work with: 
Any
Fluent in: 
English
Born in: 
Wilmington, DE
Delaware
Raised in: 
Buckhannon, WV
West Virginia
Please note: All information in the Directory is provided by the listed writers or their representatives.
Last update: Sep 06, 2024