Kim Addonizio

Poet, Fiction Writer

Oakland, CA
California US
Email: 
addoniziokim@gmail.com
Website: 
www.kimaddonizio.com

Author's Bio

Kim Addonizio’s most recent poetry collection is Now We’re Getting Somewhere (W.W. Norton, 2021). Exit Opera is forthcoming in September 2024. She is the author of eight other poetry collections, two novels, two story collections, and two books on writing poetry, The Poet’s Companion (with Dorianne Laux) and Ordinary Genius, as well as a memoir-in-essays, Bukowski in a Sundress: Confessions from a Writing Life. A New & Selected, Wild Nights, is available in the UK from Bloodaxe. Addonizio’s work has been honored with fellowships from the NEA and Guggenheim Foundation, and her collection Tell Me was a finalist for the National Book Award.  Collections of Addonizio's poetry have been translated into several languages including Arabic, Chinese, Italian, and Spanish. She lives in Oakland, CA and teaches writing workshops on Zoom.

Education: 
San Francisco State University MA
Writers Retreats: 
Bogliasco Foundation
Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference
DISQUIET International Literary Program
Djerassi Resident Artists Program
LiTFUSE Poets' Workshop
MacDowell
Poetry by the Sea: A Global Conference
Ragdale
Virginia Center for the Creative Arts
Yaddo
Literary agent: 
Massie & McQuilkin

Publications & Prizes

Fiction

Book:
The Palace of Illusions (Soft Skull Press, 2015)

Poetry

Books:
My Black Angel: Blues Poems & Portraits (Stephen F. Austin State University Press, 2014)
,
Lucifer at the Starlite (Norton, 2009)
,
My Dreams Out in the Street (Simon & Schuster, 2007)
,
Little Beauties (Simon & Schuster, 2005)
,
What Is This Thing Called Love (W. W. Norton & Company, 2004)
,
Tell Me (BOA Editions, Ltd., 2000)
,
In the Box Called Pleasure (FC2, 1999)
,
Jimmy & Rita (BOA Editions, Ltd., 1997)
,
The Poet's Companion: A Guide to the Pleasures of Writing Poetry (W. W. Norton & Company, 1997)
,
The Philosopher's Club (BOA Editions, Ltd., 1994)
Prizes won: 

Mortal Trash, Paterson Poetry Prize, 2016
Lucifer at the Starlite Finalist, Poets’ Prize, 2011
Lucifer at the Starlite Finalist, Northern CA Book Awards, 2011
“Notable Essay” citation, Best American Essays, 2010
Pushcart Prize (Essay), Pushcart Prize XXXIV, 2010
New Letters Readers Award for the Essay, 2008
Guggenheim Fellowship Recipient in Poetry, 2005-2006
What Is This Thing Called Love Finalist, Northern CA Book Awards, 2005
Mississippi Review Fiction Prize, First Place, 2004
John Ciardi Lifetime Achievement Award, 2003
James Dickey Poetry Award from Five Points, 2001
Tell Me Finalist, National Book Award and PEN USA West, 2000
Chelsea Poetry Award, 1998
The Poet's Companion selected as Featured Alternate for Book of the Month Club, 1997
The Poet's Companion selected for  Quality Paperback Book Club and Writer'sDigest Book Club, 1997
Pushcart Prize in Poetry, Pushcart Prize XXI, 1997
Commonwealth Club of California Poetry Medal for The Philosopher's Club, 1995
NEA Creative Writing Fellowships, 1995 and 1990
The Philosopher's Club Finalist, Bay Area Book Reviewerr Award, 1995
Great Lakes Colleges Association Award for The Philosopher's Club, 1995
Meralmikjen Fellow in Poetry, Bread Loaf Conference, 1990
Ludwig Vogelstein Foundation grant, 1989

 

More Information

Gives readings: 
Yes
Travels for readings: 
Yes
Identifies as: 
Italian American
Prefers to work with: 
Homelessness, Teachers
Born in: 
Washington
Raised in: 
Bethesda, MD
Maryland
Please note: All information in the Directory is provided by the listed writers or their representatives.
Last update: Mar 19, 2024