Biography
Erin Belieu is the
author of various poems and multiple poetry collections. Born in Omaha,
Nebraska on September 25th 1965, to her parents, Wendell and
Margaret Belieu, Erin continued her childhood journey here as well (1 and 2). As
a child, Erin loved to read various genres of books, as her parents encouraged
reading topics of her choice (3). Belieu went to Central High School in Omaha
and attended the University of Nebraska, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine
Arts Degree. The University of Nebraska (Omaha) was where she learned to
construct poetry (4). From there on, she attended Boston University studying
poetry and took on an academic career at Ohio State University, successfully
graduating with her Ph.D. (5, 6, 7, and 8). Throughout her years after college,
Belieu began teaching English at an assortment of colleges and universities,
including Washington University, Boston University, Kenyon College and Ohio
State University. Currently, Erin is the head of the department and also
teaches creative writing at Florida State University. Additionally, Belieu is
the co-founder and co-director of VIDA, an organization that explores critical
and cultural perceptions of writing by women through meaningful conversation
and the exchange of ideas among literary communities (9).
Erin writes poems speaking of gender, love, and history, filtering wide-ranging subject matters through a variety of theoretical frameworks (10). Not only does she participate in contemporary literary culture, but contributes towards shaping the culture as well. In her poetry, Belieu often is humorous and uses street talk to express herself (11). Erin’s poems contain quirky titles, which draw attention to readers. Belieu has also received various awards pertaining to both her books and poems. For example, the “Outstanding Undergraduate Award” was given to her in 1989 from the University of Nebraska. Furthermore, the “Nebraska Review Best Group of Poems Award” was presented to Belieu in 1993. Many other awards were given in her honor (12, 13 and 14).
According to various sources, Belieu met a variety of people through college, conventions, and so on. Carl Phillips has been considered a “life-long friend” to Belieu, as they met in college and kept their friendship consistent. In 1992, at Boston University, Belieu and Phillips became friends while studying poetry. According to “The Best American Poetry (2014)” source, Belieu states “He’s brilliant and writes twice as much as me” (15 and 16). Furthermore, Belieu hangs out with poet, Matthew Zapruder. As stated in “Interviews with Poets—Matthew Zapruder—By Erin Belieu”, Erin claims that Matthew is another poet she’s known as far back as her adult memory goes, but she didn’t come to know him extremely well until Matthew invited her to go on the Wave Press Poetry Bus Tour in 2006 (17). All in all, Erin hangs out with a selection of poets, including the two mentioned above.
Erin Belieu is a great poet, having success in all areas of life (work, family, friends, etc.) Erin’s impact to people’s lives through writing has been what’s kept her well known.
(All information cited from a variety of sources which are located on Easy Bib)
(1) "Erin Belieu." The Writers Directory. Detroit: St. James Press, 2014. Biography in Context. Web. 31 Oct. 2014
(2) Wilson, Chloe. "Erin Belieu." Twenty-First-Century American Poets. Ed. John Cusatis. Detroit: Gale, 2013. Dictionary of Literary Biography Vol. 372. Literature Resource Center. Web. 24 Oct. 2014
(3) http://www.sawpalm.org/interview-with-poet-erin-belieu.html - Moody, David
(4) http://www.sawpalm.org/interview-with-poet-erin-belieu.html - Moody, David
(5) http://www.poemhunter.com/erin-belieu/biography/
(6) http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/erin-belieu
(7) "Erin Belieu." Contemporary Authors Online. Detroit: Gale, 2008. Biography in Context. Web. 24 Oct. 2014
(8) "Erin Belieu." Contemporary Authors Online. Detroit: Gale, 2008. Literature Resource Center. Web. 24 Oct. 2014
(9) http://www.poemhunter.com/erin-belieu/biography/
(10) http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/erin-belieu
(11)http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/erin-belieu
(12)"Erin Belieu." Contemporary Authors Online. Detroit: Gale, 2008. Biography in Context. Web. 24 Oct. 2014
(13) "Erin Belieu." Contemporary Authors Online. Detroit: Gale, 2008. Literature Resource Center. Web. 24 Oct. 2014
(14) Wilson, Chloe. "Erin Belieu." Twenty-First-Century American Poets. Ed. John Cusatis. Detroit: Gale, 2013. Dictionary of Literary Biography Vol. 372. Literature Resource Center. Web. 24 Oct. 2014
(15) http://blog.bestamericanpoetry.com/the_best_american_poetry/2014/09/interviews-with-poets-day-2-carl-phillips-erin-belieu.html – Belieu, Erin
(16) http://www.sawpalm.org/interview-with-poet-erin-belieu.html - Moody, David
(17) http://blog.bestamericanpoetry.com/the_best_american_poetry/2014/09/interviews-with-poets-matthew-zapruder-by-erin-belieu.html - Belieu, Erin
Erin writes poems speaking of gender, love, and history, filtering wide-ranging subject matters through a variety of theoretical frameworks (10). Not only does she participate in contemporary literary culture, but contributes towards shaping the culture as well. In her poetry, Belieu often is humorous and uses street talk to express herself (11). Erin’s poems contain quirky titles, which draw attention to readers. Belieu has also received various awards pertaining to both her books and poems. For example, the “Outstanding Undergraduate Award” was given to her in 1989 from the University of Nebraska. Furthermore, the “Nebraska Review Best Group of Poems Award” was presented to Belieu in 1993. Many other awards were given in her honor (12, 13 and 14).
According to various sources, Belieu met a variety of people through college, conventions, and so on. Carl Phillips has been considered a “life-long friend” to Belieu, as they met in college and kept their friendship consistent. In 1992, at Boston University, Belieu and Phillips became friends while studying poetry. According to “The Best American Poetry (2014)” source, Belieu states “He’s brilliant and writes twice as much as me” (15 and 16). Furthermore, Belieu hangs out with poet, Matthew Zapruder. As stated in “Interviews with Poets—Matthew Zapruder—By Erin Belieu”, Erin claims that Matthew is another poet she’s known as far back as her adult memory goes, but she didn’t come to know him extremely well until Matthew invited her to go on the Wave Press Poetry Bus Tour in 2006 (17). All in all, Erin hangs out with a selection of poets, including the two mentioned above.
Erin Belieu is a great poet, having success in all areas of life (work, family, friends, etc.) Erin’s impact to people’s lives through writing has been what’s kept her well known.
(All information cited from a variety of sources which are located on Easy Bib)
(1) "Erin Belieu." The Writers Directory. Detroit: St. James Press, 2014. Biography in Context. Web. 31 Oct. 2014
(2) Wilson, Chloe. "Erin Belieu." Twenty-First-Century American Poets. Ed. John Cusatis. Detroit: Gale, 2013. Dictionary of Literary Biography Vol. 372. Literature Resource Center. Web. 24 Oct. 2014
(3) http://www.sawpalm.org/interview-with-poet-erin-belieu.html - Moody, David
(4) http://www.sawpalm.org/interview-with-poet-erin-belieu.html - Moody, David
(5) http://www.poemhunter.com/erin-belieu/biography/
(6) http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/erin-belieu
(7) "Erin Belieu." Contemporary Authors Online. Detroit: Gale, 2008. Biography in Context. Web. 24 Oct. 2014
(8) "Erin Belieu." Contemporary Authors Online. Detroit: Gale, 2008. Literature Resource Center. Web. 24 Oct. 2014
(9) http://www.poemhunter.com/erin-belieu/biography/
(10) http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/erin-belieu
(11)http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/erin-belieu
(12)"Erin Belieu." Contemporary Authors Online. Detroit: Gale, 2008. Biography in Context. Web. 24 Oct. 2014
(13) "Erin Belieu." Contemporary Authors Online. Detroit: Gale, 2008. Literature Resource Center. Web. 24 Oct. 2014
(14) Wilson, Chloe. "Erin Belieu." Twenty-First-Century American Poets. Ed. John Cusatis. Detroit: Gale, 2013. Dictionary of Literary Biography Vol. 372. Literature Resource Center. Web. 24 Oct. 2014
(15) http://blog.bestamericanpoetry.com/the_best_american_poetry/2014/09/interviews-with-poets-day-2-carl-phillips-erin-belieu.html – Belieu, Erin
(16) http://www.sawpalm.org/interview-with-poet-erin-belieu.html - Moody, David
(17) http://blog.bestamericanpoetry.com/the_best_american_poetry/2014/09/interviews-with-poets-matthew-zapruder-by-erin-belieu.html - Belieu, Erin