Instructor publishes new collection of poetry ‘Suspension’

August 29, 2018

A new poetry collection, entitled Suspension, written by Anoka-Ramsey Community College Instructor Paige Riehl was released on Aug. 28 from Terrapin Books.

“The poems in Suspension are linked thematically by the concept of waiting, of being suspended in the time right before a life-altering change that hasn’t yet occurred,” said Riehl. “Suspension is an intimate examination of waiting in those liminal spaces where we hover on the threshold of change.”

Under its previous title Wait, the poetry collection was a finalist for the 2017 Lindquist & Vennum Prize for Poetry. Now, it will be available in bookstores and online, as well as at a number of public readings.

Upcoming Readings

St. Paul Book Launch
6:30 to 7 pm, Artist Talk by Meranda Turbak
7 pm, Readings by Paige Riehl, Jim Moore and Hallie Wiederholt
Thursday, Sept. 27
Dow Art Gallery
2242 University Ave W, St Paul

Minneapolis Book Launch
Readings by Paige Riehl, Jude Nutter and Michael Kleber-Diggs; Art by Meranda Turbak
Friday, Nov. 2 at 7 pm
Moon Palace Books

“The poems in the book explore the ethical complexities and emotional challenges of international adoption, the awkward vulnerability created by illness and death, and the illuminating rebirth spurred by travel,” said Riehl. “Many people experience a suspended state when a loved one’s death is imminent but hasn’t happened yet. It’s such a strange and vulnerable period when grief is hovering overhead but hasn’t quite landed yet.”

The cover of the poetry collection features a painting titled “Dis-integrate,” by Minnesota Artist Meranda Turbak.

“I couldn’t be happier with how well the painting conveys several themes of the book—the feminine and being in a suspended state of waiting and yearning, which can feel quite surreal,” said Riehl.

In 2014, Riehl also published a poetry chapbook titled Blood Ties with Finishing Line Press. Her poetry has been published in numerous literary journals, including Artful Dodge, Crab Orchard Review, Water-Stone Review, Portland Review, and Meridian. She won the 2011 Literal Latte Prize for Poetry, the 2012-2013 Loft Mentor Series in Poetry, and was a 2016 Pushcart Prize nominee. She is the Poetry Editor for Midway Journal, a poetry mentor for the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop, and an English instructor at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, where she is Chair of the Two Rivers Reading Series.

“We have a thriving and vibrant Creative Writing program at Anoka-Ramsey, one that I’m proud to be a part of every semester,” said Riehl. “Students can earn an Associate of Arts with emphasis in Creative Writing or an Associate of Fine Arts in Creative writing by taking fantastic classes with instructors who are active writers who work hard to create a strong writing community.”

Anoka-Ramsey students can also join the Creative Writing Club, which publishes The Rapids Review, the student literary journal. The Two Rivers Reading Series on the Coon Rapids Campus and the Minnesota Writers Series on the Cambridge Campus offer students the opportunity to read books by publishing authors, followed by the chance to ask authors questions and get books signed.

Through the Careers in Writing Series, students also have the opportunity to hear from professionals in the writing community, who visit campus to discuss careers in creative writing. Students who would like to learn more about the program are invited to attend Creative Writing Orientation Sessions each semester.