Graywolf 50th Anniversary

In celebration of Graywolf Press’s 50th anniversary and the publication of Raised by Wolves: Fifty Poets on Fifty Poems, award-winning poet Harryette Mullen will read her poetry and discuss the complexities of influence and legacy alongside Graywolf publisher and poet, Carmen Giménez, and in conversation with Graywolf executive editor, Jeff Shotts.

Harryette Mullen is the author of eight books of poetry, including Urban Tumbleweed, Recyclopedia, and Sleeping with the Dictionary, which was a finalist for the National Book Award, National Book Critics Circle Award, and Los Angeles Times Book Prize. She is a professor of English and African American Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. Graywolf will publish Mullen’s forthcoming collection, Regaining Unconsciousness, in 2025.

Carmen Giménez has been publisher and director of Graywolf Press since 2022. A queer, Latinx poet and editor, Giménez was the founder and publisher of Noemi Press and a professor of English in Virginia Tech’s MFA program in creative writing. Giménez’s most recent collection, Be Recorder, was a finalist for the National Book Award in Poetry, PEN Open Book Award, Audre Lorde Award for Lesbian Poetry, and Los Angeles Times Book Prize. She was awarded the Academy of American Poets Fellowship in 2020 and has received fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, Howard Foundation, and Hermitage Foundation.

Jeff Shotts is the executive editor and director of poetry of Graywolf Press, where he has worked for more than 25 years. Authors whose books Shotts has acquired and edited have received the Nobel Peace Prize, Nobel Prize in Literature, Pulitzer Prize in Poetry, National Book Award for Poetry, National Book Critics Circle Awards in criticism and in poetry, and many other awards and honors. Shotts received the 2017 Editor’s Award from Poets & Writers.

In-Person Attendance: Masks are strongly encouraged and available at check-in for those who would like to wear one. The Foundation reserves the right to update this policy if community levels of COVID-19 increase significantly. Read our full COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines. Guests are encouraged to register in advance.

Livestream Attendance: The livestream link will be shared with registered guests on the day of the event. In order to receive the livestream details, please register in advance here.

The Poetry Foundation’s events are completely free of charge and open to the public. This event will include CART captioning and ASL interpretation. For more information about accessibility at the Poetry Foundation, please visit our Accessibility Guide.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Poetry Foundation, 61 West Superior Street, Chicago, United States