Dawn McQuire + David Watts

Dawn McGuire’s new book of poems is American Dream with Exit Wound. Carol Muske-Dukes says, “McGuire is inspired by her work with post 9/11 vets, by her brain research as a neurologist and her immersion in myth. You will take your life in your hands as you read these super-charged poems—and you will…’come to’ with an exit wound…” Both a neuro-scientist and a poet, she has published three collections, including The Aphasia Café, which won the 2013 Indie Book Award for Poetry. Born in the Appalachian region of Kentucky, her graduate education was both in Theology and Medicine.

David Watts is both a physician and a poet. His new book of poems is Having and Keeping. Al Young says, “Watts’ quiet poems couple with their subjects in an intimacy so strong, you can smell their crackle and spark. When it comes to singing the uncontrollable messiness of family life, growing pain and growth; the stickiness of love life, the clumsiness of loss, the pleasures of cranky togetherness, this little book takes the cake.” His literary credits include seven books of poetry, two collections of short stories, a mystery novel, a bestselling western and essays. He has received numerous awards in academics, literature, and television production.