Lisa Marie Brodsky

Poet

Madison, WI
Wisconsin US

Author's Bio

Believing wholeheartedly in the power and healing found in the written word, I believe one's personal experiences can be formed and molded into a literary kaleidoscope in which to see a better world. Knowing suffering and struggle can make up our daily lives, I seek to lead others to a place of confident creativity, of believing their unique story has value. As a Peer Support Specialist and Supervisor in the mental health field, I lead a number of workshops related to using creative writing as a vehicle for emotional wellness.  Poetry can translate the unspeakable to a language that liberates us from insecurity and the smallness of life. I have taught workshops via AllWriters' Workplace & Workshop: "The Bridge Poem," "The Memory at Work," "Translating the Language of Loss," and "Alchemy of the Wounded Heart." I have performed and presented poetry to a variety of people ranging from school-aged children to seniors with dementia (the latter as part of the Alzheimer's Poetry Project). Recently, I have launched various creative projects under the name "Hiraethlon:" the longing for an emotional/creative home we only dared to imagine. There, I offer virtual and in-person writing groups called "The Nest" and also faciliate a mental health and creativity movement called "The I'm Okay Collective." 

Find your longing; create your way home. 

Publications & Prizes

Books:
Motherlung (Salmon Poetry, 2014)
,
We Nod Our Dark Heads (Parallel Press, 2008)
Journals:
Albatross
,
Ampersand Poetry Journal
,
Artful Dodge
,
Barrow Street
,
Boiling River
,
Born Magazine
,
Cadence
,
Chesapeake Reader
,
Circle Magazine
, ,
Evergreen Review
,
Front Porch Review
, , , , ,
Linden Avenue Literary Journal
,
Loch Raven Review
, , , , , , , , , , ,
Southern Ocean Review
, ,
THAT Literary Review
,
Verse Wisconsin
,
Prizes won: 

Outstanding Poetry recognition for a 2014 publication by the Wisconsin Library Association Literary Awards Committee - for "Motherlung" (Salmon Poetry, 2014)

Semi-finalist for Naugatuck River Review's 9th Annual Narrative Poetry Contest

Finalist for the James Hearst Poetry Prize - North American Review

 Honorable Mention - Wisconsin Fellowship of Poetry Muse Prize

1st Place - Circle Magazine

Personal Favorites

Favorite authors: 
Sharon Olds, Olena Kalytiak Davis, Amy Gerstler, Linda Pastan, Mary Oliver, Ada Limon, Ocean Vuong, among many others.

More Information

Gives readings: 
Yes
Travels for readings: 
Yes
Identifies as: 
White
Prefers to work with: 
Adults, At Risk Youth, Children, Disability, Illness/Wellness, Mental Health, Seniors, Teenagers
Fluent in: 
English
Born in: 
Chicago, IL
Illinois
Raised in: 
Harwood Heights, IL
Illinois
Please note: All information in the Directory is provided by the listed writers or their representatives.
Last update: Jan 24, 2024