Callie Garnett to Read at Jimson Weed Coffee Night
Acclaimed poet and publisher Callie Garnett will read from her work at Coffee Night on April 21st at 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel of all Faiths at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise (UVA Wise). Coffee Night celebrates the annual publication of Jimson Weed, a journal of poetry, prose, drama, art and photography. Jimson Weed includes creative work from students, faculty, the local community and writers from the United States and beyond.
Garnett is the author of Wings in Time (The Song Cave, 2021), named "Best Poetry of 2021" by the New York Times, as well as the chapbooks Hallelujah, I'm a Bum (Ugly Duckling Presse, 2015), and On Knowingness (The Song Cave, 2017). Her newest book, Shit Hike (The Song Cave, 2026) will be released this April.
She works as a senior editor at Bloomsbury Publishing, where she has published many notable recent books including Outlawed by Anna North, Little Rabbit by Alyssa Songsiridej, and State Champ by Hilary Plum. Garnett grew up in Brooklyn, NY and lives now in Esopus, NY.
On April 22nd at 1 p.m. in the Chapel of all Faiths, Garnett will deliver a talk on her work in publishing. Taking three recently published books as case studies, she’ll discuss what publishers look for, what editors do, and how a manuscript becomes a book.
This year’s Jimson Weed includes the work of 55 writers and artists from our community and around the world. Coffee Night will feature readings by Bailey Lantman, Gillian Huang-Tiller, Ben Watson, Bill Dotson, Julie Blevins, Michael Samerdyke, Everest Hall, Preston Moore, Nicholas Hollingsworth, and Eugene Stevenson, plus musical performances by Eek! and Tommy Bright. Free copies of Jimson Weed will be distributed, and copies of Garnett’s books will be available for purchase.