Get ready for an unforgettable literary experience at Chattanooga State! Our Writers@Work program, part of the Humanities Department at ChattState, is thrilled to welcome the poet Ariel Francisco for an exciting celebration of his poetry collection, A Sinking Ship Is Still a Ship, from April 4-6. Each year, we feature a Southern author whose work is woven into the curriculum of our Composition Two course, allowing students to explore a specific piece and sharpen their critical skills.

This year, we're honored to have Ariel Francisco join our prestigious lineup of past participants, including best-selling Southern authors Terry Kay, Jill McCorkle, Ron Rash, Rick Bragg, and Chattanooga's very own Ishmael Reed.

A Sinking Ship Is Still a Ship has garnered rave reviews, with Booklist calling it a "shimmering second collection of poetry" that is "equal parts elegy and ode." Acclaimed author Richard Blanco also hails Francisco as a "luminous poet" who masterfully captures the "complex intersections of the physical, emotional, and natural landscapes."

Born in the Bronx to Dominican and Guatemalan parents and raised in Miami, Francisco earned his MFA in Poetry at Florida International University and an MFA in Literary Translation at Queens College CUNY. His work has graced the pages of renowned publications such as The New Yorker and The Academy of American Poets Poem-a-Day. Francisco has authored numerous poetry collections and translated the creations of Colombian poet Carolina Sanchez and Guatemalan poet Hael Lopez. Currently, he holds the Assistant Professor of Poetry position at Louisiana State University.

Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to learn from and engage with the celebrated poet Ariel Francisco as he shares his insights, experiences, and creative process with the ChattState community and the public. Visit the Writers@Work website for more information on the Writers@Work program and our exciting events. Join us in honoring Southern literature and uncovering the powerful voice of this gifted writer and translator.