Joy Leftow

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Joy Leftow, born in Washington Heights in New York City, is an American poet, fiction writer, and essayist. Leftow's poetry is narrative and lyrical, and each poem tells a complete story. Some poems have gained critical acclaim, such as Tupelo Honey, Advancing on Satori, and the more recent, Being Jewish, and My Mother, all of which have been published in several journals. Her poems are often gritty and raw urban tales based on her unique observations and experience. Familiar themes in her work encompass family and social issues which is combined with self introspection. Familiar themes in her work concern identity and inclusion. She covers themes of overall inclusion and exclusion into various groups in general (even the nuclear family) and organizations. Her Jewish identity has become another developing theme.

After dropping out of high school and living for some time on welfare, Leftow restarted her education under the auspices of the New York State Higher Education Opportunity Program and obtained a B.A. from Columbia University. During her undergraduate studies, she began writing by taking elective writing courses. She continued her studies and obtained a post-graduate Masters of Science in Social Work degree from Columbia University in New York City and a Master of Arts in Creative Writing from City College of New York.

Leftow frequently appears on New York City radio shows, such as the Teachers & Writers Collaborative Radio Show, Everything Goes, Poetry Central, The Sounds of Poetry on Adelphi Radio WBAU-FM, Jazz Poetry Café with Phillip Gregory on WFLO, and Cool on the Groove on Rockland World Radio Program [1], and also on television programs such as The New Yorkers [2],[3]. She has read her poetry at CBGB's, the Wetlands, Cornelia Street Cafe, Bowery Poetry Club, the Back Fence, Palmer Vineyards and the Paris Cafe. She organized and hosted the spoken word event at the 4th and 5th Annual Uptown Arts Stroll event.

In addition to working as a clinical social worker, Leftow taught youth literacy classes for young children through the Beacon program and is also a production editor for Augustus Publishing.[1]

Contents

[edit] Writings

Leftow's first book, A Spot of Bleach & Other Poems and Prose (Big Foot Press, 2005), was praised by the Aquarian East Coast Rocker [4] as

"bringing a bold energetic humor to the matters of everyday life. Growing up in a not so “Leave It To Beaver” household, she reflects on her relationships with family members and friends with more sarcasm than you could find in a whole season of “Seinfeld.” Her prose is like a catchy tune, keeping the reader engaged within every line and pause, allowing her words and loud voice to linger around in your head. Her observations and analysis of human nature represent the cynicism with which we think but never have the guts to say out loud."

[edit] Poetry

  • Asheville Poetry Review
  • Poetry in Performance # 34, #35 (City College of New York)
  • New Press Literary Quarterly
  • Medicinal Purposes
  • Grist on Line
  • Poetry Magazine of the Lower East Side
  • A Spot of Bleach & Other Poems and Prose (Big Foot Press, 2005) [2]
  • Poetry Kite Anthology
  • Soul Fountain
  • RainTiger.com
  • Wings Magazine
  • Online Wings Magazine

[edit] Prose

  • Menopause: (essay) Online Wings Magazine, Summer 2005 [5]
  • Esmerelda's Gift: Spot Of Bleach, November 2005
  • False Pride, short story in the anthology, Lipstick Diaries (Augustus Publishing, 2007) [6]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Internet Radio: Rockland World Radio - Cool on the Groove
  2. ^ Joy Leftow (author) on AuthorsDen
  3. ^ JoyLeftow
  4. ^ Aquarian East Coast Rocker March 15-22, Vol.2-338, review by Ana Shamin
  5. ^ Wings Index
  6. ^ Independent Publishers Group

Guatemalan Sash: New Press Literary Quarterly, Summer, 1994

Poets & Writers - Directory of American Poets & Writers [3]

Dee Rimbaud- Art and Writing, an Independent Press Guide [4]

Spot Of Bleach and Other Poems & Prose, Big Foot Press, 2005 [5]

Being Jewish, Poetry in Performance 34, City College of New York, 2006: P.198

Family History Deja Vu, Another Morning, edited by Lanie Shanxyra P. Rebancos, Lulu Publishing, Dec. 2006 [6]

Mexican Delight: Medicinal Purposes, Volume III, No.1, P.2, 2006,

Being Jewish: Manhattan Times, Vol.7 No. 18 May 4 - May 10, 2006, Washington Heights/East Harlem Edition (with Spanish Translation) P.10 centerfold

Winner of Footpaths Writers Residency, 2007. Footpaths to Creativity [7]

[edit] External links