Lesley Wheeler

@lesleymwheeler

Poetry Ed of Shenandoah. Author of Mycocosmic, Poetry’s Possible Worlds, Unbecoming, The State She’s In, & Radioland—poetry, fantasy fiction, CNF, scholarship. She/they. linktr.ee/lesleymwheeler

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Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· 29d

I’ll be joining other wild species in poetry performances at the Telluride Mushroom Festival this August—reading from Mycocosmic, of course, plus a couple of newer things. Hope to see you there! 🍄🍄‍🟫 @tupelopress.bsky.social

Shroompa invites you to be your wild self at the Telluride Mushroom Festival Aug 12-16

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· 29d

Enchanted to see a poem from Mycocosmic reprinted in the summer issue of Fungi Magazine! @tupelopress.bsky.social 🍄🍄‍🟫 #fungi

“We Could Be Mycelial” by Lesley Wheeler, with mushrooms

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· Jul 3

It feels right to spend this weekend reading righteously and catching up with a few friends. Thanks to Ecotone for this beautiful and moving anniversary issue—it’s a stunner @ecotonemagazine.bsky.social

Ecotone 20th anniversary issue in spring green next to sleeping cat

Back cover of Ecotone with contributor list

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· Jun 29

A long time off, but I’m excited about the Poets for Science gathering this November at Kent State—not least to be in conversation with forager-poets Anne Haven McDonnell and Mildred K. Barya! poetsforscience.org/session/myce...

Poets for Science gathering November 12-14 at Kent State

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· Jun 25

This Sunday, June 28–would love to see you! poetcamp.com/poetry-from-...

Poetry from the Underworld at Poet Camp with Lesley Wheeler 6/28 3-6 pm Eastern time on Google meet

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· Jun 16

YES THAT’S RIGHT IT’S AN ANT WITH ZOMBIE FUNGUS—look at the mushroom popping out of its tiny zombie head! Had an awesome time Sunday with the Blue Ridge Mycology society. Thanks to Masih, who takes better 🐜 pictures than I do. 🍄

Dead ant on a beech branch with mushroom on its head

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· Jun 15

Stoked to be part of this amazing launch reading tomorrow sponsored by @merliterary.bsky.social —Tuesday 6/16, 6 pm EDT, Zoom, register here: bit.ly/42Q1P8G

launch reading tomorrow sponsored by @merliterary —Tuesday 6/16, 6 pm EDT, Zoom, register here: https://bit.ly/42Q1P8G

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· Jun 14

Next to my favorite reading chair this week: Severalty by Laura Da’ and Oddest & Oldest & Saddest & Best by Jane Zwart. These gorgeous collections concern different kinds of grief in wildly, powerfully metamorphic language. @janezwart.bsky.social

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· May 29

This week’s reading: two lovely new #poetry collections, Night Owl by @nezhukumatathil.bsky.social & Accidental Devotiona by @kelliagodon.bsky.social . They follow different paths to interlocking preoccupations with attention and awe. A good year for poetry so far!

Night Owl by Aimee Nezhukumatathil and Accidental Devotions by Kelli Russell Agodon

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· May 18

Congratulations & big thanks to Keith Flynn & Luke Hankins on a splendid final issue of Asheville Poetry Review, & to all the writers in its pages. I’m just sorry that my first appearance is in the series finale! I’m attaching part of my “Shelter in Place, Credible Threat” as a teaser.

Cover of Asheville Poetry Review—abstracted humans riding red horses

Ad for Lesley Wheeler’s poetry collection Mycocosmic

Part of Lesley Wheeler’s poem “Shelter in Place, Credible Threat”

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· May 5

The gorgeous poems in this new book, Might Could by Anna Lena Phillips Bell, imagine ways to live more gently, with more delight, in this endangered world. Put away your terrible to-do list and spend time here! www.waywiserbooks.org/@aproflectio...

Letterpress print of Anna Lena Phillips Bell’s poem “Against Stoicism” nestled among columbine

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· Apr 30

The cats are cranky at my absence but the mail is good. Warmest thanks to @merliterary.bsky.social for including my poem in their latest issue!

Partial table of contents for new MER issue

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· Apr 10

I’ve been reading my way down strange paths in Ohio and East Texas, thanks to David Baker and Aza Pace —these books are such beauties. And such a pleasure to meet both poets in person last month! @davidbakerpoet.bsky.social

Transit by David Baker and Her Terrible Splendor by Aza Pace

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· Mar 27

Just finished reading these two extraordinary books, both exploratory and awe-filled, fungal and queer. They’re beauties. #Fridayreads

Forest Euphoria by Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian and Singing Under Snow by Anne Haven McDonnell, with narcissus

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· Mar 22

Congratulations to Liz Hazen & Michele Battiste on their beautiful poetry collections! From Michele’s oracle cards, I pulled The Pine for symbiosis & reciprocity. Perfect! Bonus: picture of my poetry audience at Ohio Wesleyan. @blacklawrence.bsky.social @riotinyourthroat.bsky.social

Audience in a gallery filled with multicolor sculptures made of recycled materials

The Sky Will Hold by Liz Hazen and The Elsewhere Oracle by Michele Battiste

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· Mar 20

Tonight with @davidbakerpoet.bsky.social and Aza Pace at @twodollarradio.bsky.social in Columbus!

3/20 7 pm Poetry reading with David Baker Aza Pace and Lesley Wheeler at 2 $ Radio

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· Mar 10

Excited for what I think will be a great conversation this Friday, 1 pm EDT: Multispecies Connections sponsored by #ASLE. Info & registration here: bit.ly|ASLEspotlight26 @jyunker.bsky.social @midgeraymond.bsky.social

ASLE Spotlight: Multispecies Connections Fri 3/13 1 pm. Info and registration: https://bit.ly|ASLEspotlight26

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· Mar 9

Polls are open for the vote on Virginia redistricting today. I was the first person to cast a ballot in my small town! Vote YES to counter red state gerrymandering. Polls remain open till 4/21, when maybe the lilacs will be blooming

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· Mar 8

It’s Mycocosmic’s first birthday this week! What a treat to celebrate it by connecting with new friends and old (mycelially 🍄) at AWP. tupelopress.org/bookstore/p/... @tupelopress.bsky.social

Mr Spock doll and cupcake with Lesley Wheeler’s book Mycocosmic

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· Mar 8

Always so much to unpack after AWP: heart, mind, suitcase. Here are some books I’m looking forward to reading, most brand new! Congratulations to the brilliant authors including @erackin.bsky.social !

In Time by Ethel Rackin, Might Could by Anna Lena Phillips Bell, House of Sugar, House of Stone by Emily Perez, Spoke by Arden Levine, Would We Still Be by James Henry Knippen, Oddest & Oldest & Saddest & Best by Jane Zwart, Singing Under Snow by Anne Haven McDonnell, Something Small of How to See a River by Teresa Dzieglewicz

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· Mar 2

Two pre-AWP book orders came in! I’m excited to read these beauties by Maya Jewell Zeller and Joan Naviyuk Kane. @porphyrypress.bsky.social @upittpress.bsky.social

Raised by Ferns by Maya Jewell Zeller and With snow pouring southward through the window by Joan Naviyuk Kane

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· Feb 25

Signings, a reading, & a panel at #AWP in Baltimore next week! Then a virtual talk with ASLE & readings at Ohio Wesleyan & Two Dollar Radio in Columbus. @tupelopress.bsky.social

Mar. 5-7, AWP in Baltimore!
Thursday 2-3 pm: Signing with Sally Rosen Kindred, Kestrel, Bookfair T972
Friday 2-2:30 pm: Signing of Mycocosmic, Tupelo Press, Bookfair 1137
Friday 6-9 pm: Tupelo Press Reading at Fadensonnen Wine Bar, 3 West 23rd Street
Saturday 9-10:15 am: How Form Informs the Form: Received & Original Forms in Manuscript Organization, panel with Donna Vorreyer, Chris Santiago, Rebecca Lehmann, and Taylor Byas, Room 327, Convention Center Level 300
Mar. 13, 1-2 pm EST: ASLE Spotlight: Multispecies Connections (virtual) with Lay Sion Ng, Boria Sax, John Yunker, and Midge Raymond

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· Feb 20

Some golden mushrooms from the Moki Cherry exhibit at the Museum of Fabric in Philadelphia

Mushrooms embroidered on a large piece of fabric art by Moki Cherry

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· Feb 19

Looking forward to this Sunday, when I’ll be reading with Lynn Fitzgerald at Suite Bar in Manhattan, 2/22-3-5 pm. Open mic after. Thanks so much to Morningside Poetry Series for inviting us! (Bonus: I get to visit my kids along the way)

Lynn Fitzgerald and Lesley Wheeler reading at Suite Bar in Manhattan 2/22-3-5 pm

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· Feb 7

Huge congrats to Chris Gavaler, who’s really been on a roll! From Chris on his new book: JSTOR awarded it a “Path to Open” grant, which brings the price down, plus Ohio State University Press is offering a temporary 30% off with my public discount code “GAVALER.” @ohiostatepress.bsky.social #comics

The Color of Paper: Representing Race in the Comics Medium by Chris Gavaler

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· Feb 1

I’d love to see you—and hear your latest poem, if you’d like to read it!—at the Bardic Trails reading this Tuesday 2/3, 7 pm MT, 9 ET. I have a St Brigid’s Day poem in mind as well as 🍄-infused goodness. Free Zoom link here: www.tellurideinstitute.org/western-slop...

Lesley Wheeler ftd in Bardic Trails series by Zoom on 2/3, 7 pm MT, https://www.tellurideinstitute.org/western-slope-calendar/

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· Jan 30

I’ll be in conversation with these smart poets a week from today, Fri 2/6 starting 6:30 pm—& the temps will be above freezing! Free @PVCC campus in Charlottesville VA. Register & get a free book! piedmontgarden.org/event/a-poet... #poetrycommunity @paulmguest.bsky.social @haydensaunier.bsky.social

Fri 2/6 at PVCC Campus in Charlottesville Va: a poets panel, Guardians of Wonder: Writing What We Must Not Lose

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· Jan 27

Not shockingly, my Lexington VA “Writing from the Underworld” workshop has been pushed to Feb 11. I’ll be giving a free online reading on Feb 3, though, in case you could use some camaraderie (all can share poems; prompt=🍄). Thanks to Art and the Bardic Trails series for including me.

Reading and workshop at the Lexington VA public library on 2/11 5:30-7 pm

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· Jan 16

Free workshop in Lexington VA! Still pondering what underworldly snacks I’ll bring. Big thanks to Rockbridge Libraries for all they do to nourish community—dark days mean we need good people and good art more than ever. #lexingtonva #librariansrule

Writing from the Underworld: free workshop with Lesley Wheeler 1/29 5:30-7 pm at Rockbridge Library in Lexington VA

Lesley Wheeler@lesleymwheeler· Jan 7

Getting my news from poems this first week of 2026: these books I bought at the Punch Bucket Lit Fest are variously beautiful, strange, fierce, and funny. Grateful to have them. Thank you @hanvanderhart.bsky.social @amorak.bsky.social @saramoorewagner.bsky.social & Carlene Kucharczyk!