WHITE, J(ay) P. 1952-

PERSONAL:

Born September 16, 1952, in Akron, OH; son of J. P. and Betty White; married Betty Bright (a curator, teacher, and writer), June 15, 1985; children: Vera. Education: New College, Sarasota, FL, B.A., 1973; Colorado State University, M.A., 1977; Vermont College, M.F.A., 1990.

ADDRESSES:

Home—4616 West 56th St., Minneapolis, MN 55424; fax: 952-928-9443. E-mail—jaywhite1@sprintmail.com.

CAREER:

Freelance writer and consultant in Minneapolis, MN, 1989—. Member of literary board, Coffee House Press and the Loft; teacher of poetry workshops and literature courses, including work at Colorado State University, Eckerd College, Vermont College, George Mason University, St. Catherine's College, and Mankato State University; judge of poetry contests; gives readings, seminars, and lectures throughout the United States.

AWARDS, HONORS:

Vermont fellowship, 1979; Bush fellowship, 1986; fellow of Minnesota State Arts Board, 1987, 1992, 1995; Loft-McKnight fellowship, 1993, and Award of Distinction, 1996.

WRITINGS:

In Pursuit of Wings (poetry), Panache Books, 1978.

The Pomegranate Tree Speaks from the Dictator's Garden (poetry), Holy Cow Press, 1988.

The Salt Hour (poetry), University of Illinois Press (Champaign, IL), 2001.

The Sleeper at the Party (poetry), Defined Providence Press, 2001.

Work represented in anthologies, including Swimming with Horses, Loft, 1993; One Minute of Knowing, 1996; Sutured Wounds, University of Iowa; New Voices; and High Fantastic. Contributor of articles, poetry, essays, and reviews to more than 100 periodicals, including Nation, New Republic, Los Angeles Times, North Stone Review, American Poetry Review, North American Review, Shenandoah, Prairie Schooner, Crazy Horse, and Parnassus: Poetry in Review.

WORK IN PROGRESS:

How Fiercely Full, poetry; Every Boat Turns South and The Artist Soldier, novels.

SIDELIGHTS:

J. P. White told CA: "I write as a way of maintaining intimacy with the self in a world that's keen on stealing the personal—and because I'm obsessed with the transcendent power of language. I am influenced by the ordinary human struggles to find meaning and hope in our mortal acts. I look for images and sounds I've not heard before and scribble them down daily. Admiration for the fierce and tender texture of life itself is my central motivation and inspiration."