W. E. Butts

Walter E. Butts is an American poet. His work has been published in such literary journals as "Poetry, The Atlanta Review, Cimarron Review, Mid-American Review, Slant, PoetryMotel, Poet Lore" and "Spillway" and anthologized in "Emerson of Harvard" (2003), "Tokens: Contemporary Poetry of the Subway" (P&Q Press, New York), and "The Anthology of Magazine Verse & Yearbook of American Poetry" (1997)

Butts has also written reviews of other poets' works, including "Tell Them We Were Here" by David Kelly, a Rochester, New York area poet. In April 2003, he was among the particiapants in the first gathring of state poets laureate hosted organized by New Hampshire’s poet laureate, Marie Harris. That same year, he also toured northern New Hampshire with South Dakota with poet David Allan Evans, giving readings and discussions at community centers and bookstores. Some of these were broadcast on regional National Public Radio and Public Broadcasting stations.

Until the late-1970s, Butts lived in Rochester, New York, where he was one of several poets who organized featured readings and open mics in the area, most notably at The Cobbs Hill Grille, a popular local bar and restaurant. Over the next few years then moved to Albany, New York; New York City; Boston, Massachusetts; and Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Butts taught creative writing workships at the University of New Hampshire in Manchester for several years. In 1995, he received an MFA from Vermont College; [ [http://www.tui.edu/mfaw/ Vermont College] ] since 1998, he has taught English at Hesser College [ [http://www.khec.com/UnderGraduatePrograms/SchoolListByMajor.aspx?major=up_CreativeArts Hesser College] ] in Manchester, New Hampshire, where he became an Associate Professor in 2003 and where he serves on the Faculty Council. He was cited in the 2002 edition of "Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers".

Butts is the author of several chapbooks, including "The Inheritance" (Four Zoas Press, 1983), "The Required Dance" (Igneus Press, 1990), "Movies in a Small Town" (Mellen Press, 1997), "A Season of Crows" (Igneus Press, 2000), "White Bees" (2001, Oyster River Press), and "Sunday Factory" (Finishing Line Press).

Butts' collection "Sunday Evening at the Stardust Cafe" (1st World Library) was a finalist for the 2005 Philip Levine Prize in Poetry from the University of California, Fresno and won the Iowa Source Poetry Book Prize. He has also received a Pushcart Prize nomination.

In addition to teaching, Butts also co-edited "Walking to Windward: Poets of New England, Volume 3" (Oyster River Press, 2001) and is the co-editor & publisher (with his wife S. Stephanie) of the literary magazine, [http://cryingskynh.tripod.com/ "Crying Sky: Poetry & Conversation"] .

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