The DAMD Poets will be reading their original poetry, including those generated from common prompts. Deborah, Anne, Mary, and Diane are a group of SUNY Orange colleagues, active and retired, who meet to critique each other’s work, collaborate on shared prompts, and support each other’s poetic endeavors. Their work has appeared in numerous journals and publications. A Q & A will follow.
Deborah Chedister is an assistant professor of English at SUNY Orange. Born in Reno and raised in California, she holds a BA from Colorado State University and an MS from SUNY New Paltz.
Anne Sandor, professor emerita of English at SUNY Orange, has had her poetry recognized in the New Millennium Awards, Orchard Street Press Contest, and Allen Ginsberg Poetry Awards. Her work appears in numerous journals and anthologies. A Brooklyn native, she holds a BA from Vassar College and an MFA from Vermont College.
Mary Makofske, retired assistant professor of English at SUNY Orange, is the author of several poetry collections, including No Angels (2023) and The Gambler’s Daughter (2022). Her work has been featured in 71 journals and 21 anthologies.
Diane Bliss, professor emerita of SUNY Orange, has been published in The Orchards Poetry Journal, Blueline, and multiple anthologies. An avid birder and keen observer of nature, she holds degrees from SUNY ESF, Hartwick College, and Binghamton University.