Pat Valdata

Poet, Fiction Writer

Crisfield, MD
Maryland US

Author's Bio

Pat Valdata is a poet and novelist with an MFA in writing from Goddard College. Her prizewinning poetry book, Where No Man Can Touch, has just been published in a revised edition by Wind Canyon Books. Her earlier poetry books,  Inherent Vice and the chapbook Looking for Bivalve, are no longer in print. Her most recent novel, Eve's Daughters, won first prize in the Delaware Press Association contest in 2021. Her fiction publications include two other novels, Crosswind and The Other Sister, which won a gold medal from the Árpád Academy in 2008. She is a recipient of the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation Fellowship to the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts and three individual artist awards from the Maryland State Arts Council.

Valdata is a retired professor who taught English and creative writing for the University of Maryland Global Campus and the Salisbury University Center for Extended and Lifelong Learning. She has judged creative writing competitions in poetry and fiction.

Valdata is a licensed pilot who flew sailplanes and single-engine land planes. She instructed in sailplanes and is a founding member of the Women Soaring Pilots Association.

Publications & Prizes

Fiction

Books:
Eve's Daughters (Moonshine Cove Publishing, 2020)
,
The Other Sister (Plain View Press, 2008)
,
Crosswind (Wind Canyon Books, 1996)
Journals:
Amarillo Bay
,
Grasslands Review

Poetry

Anthologies:
Love Affairs at the Villa Nelle (Kelsay Books, 2018)
,
More Challenges for the Delusional (Diode Editions, 2018)
,
Nasty Women Poets: An Unapologetic Anthology of Subversive Verse (Lost Horse Press, 2017)
,
Challenges for the Delusional (Jane Street Press, 2012)
,
The Cento: A Collection of Collage Poems (Red Hen Press, 2011)
,
Letters to the World: Poems from the Wom-Po LISTSERV (Red Hen Press, 2008)
,
In Praise of Pedagogy (Calendar Island Publishing, 2000)
,
Boomer Girls (University of Iowa Press, 1999)
Books:
Where No Man Can Touch, rev. ed. (Wind Canyon Books, 2023)
,
Inherent Vice (Pecan Grove Press, 2011)
Chapbook:
Looking for Bivalve (Pecan Grove Press, 2002)
Journals: , ,
Italian Americana
, , ,
Tattoo Highway
Prizes won: 

Interview and poetry reading selected for Lunar Codex, launching 2024

Pushcart Prize nominations, 2022, 2023

First place, Delaware Press Association, 2021

Donald Justice Poetry Prize, 2015

Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Fellowship, 2013

Gold Medal, Hungarian Association, 2009

Maryland Individual Artist Grant for poetry, 2001, 2003, 2022

Honorable mention, Sue Saniel Elkind Poetry Contest, 2003

First place, Eastern Shore Regional Poetry Competition, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2010

Finalist, Pecan Grove Press Poetry Chapbook Competition, 2002

First place, Icarus Poetry Competition, 1996

Joseph C. Lincoln Award for short story, 1994

More Information

Gives readings: 
Yes
Travels for readings: 
Yes
Identifies as: 
Feminist, Hungarian American, Italian American
Prefers to work with: 
Adults, Naturalists/Environmentalists, Seniors, Teachers
Fluent in: 
English
Born in: 
New Brunswick, NJ
New Jersey
Raised in: 
New Brunswick, NJ
New Jersey
Please note: All information in the Directory is provided by the listed writers or their representatives.
Last update: Aug 09, 2023