About Kelly Jones
I'm a first generation college graduate with nearly a decade of professional experience in outreach, education, communications, and project management within higher ed, public libraries, and nonprofits.
A trained improviser and natural storyteller, I enjoy working with others to design engaging learning opportunities, build community, and enhance communication efforts. I'm passionate about sustainability and diversity & inclusion, and am happiest when working on projects that center creative alternatives to big problems.
These are a few of my favorite things: manatees, glitter, small impromptu dance parties, and allusions.
Events, Readings, etc.
Readings, Panels, and Artist Talks
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Writers Talk w/ Passengers Press, Summer 2021
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West End Poetry Festival Virtual Reading, Fall 2020
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Pandemic Poetry, Virtual Reading Series, Spring 2020
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Traumedy Show, Pittsboro, NC, Winter 2019
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West End Poetry Festival, Carrboro, NC, Fall 2019
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Indy's Poetry Contest Winners' Reading @ So & So Books, Raleigh, NC, Spring 2015
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Artist Talk @ Elsewhere Museum, Greensboro, NC, Spring 2015
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Hands On Literary Fest Reading @ Maison St. Charles, New Orleans, LA, Winter 2014
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Featured Reader, Ladyfest, New Orleans, LA, Fall 2014
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Panel Discussion “What Are Editors Looking For,” Gulf Coast Association of Creative Writing Teachers, Fairhope, AL, Spring 2013
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Featured Reader, River Writers Series, Baton Rouge, LA, Fall 2012
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Featured Reader, Ladyfest, New Orleans, LA, Fall 2012
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Featured Reader, GCACWT, Fairhope, AL, Spring 2011, 2012, and 2013
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Class reading at the Maple Leaf, New Orleans, LA, Winter 2010, 2011, and 2012
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Panel Discussion “When Two Become One: Merging of Identities in New Orleans’ Public Colleges,” Louisiana Association of College Composition, Lafayette, LA, Spring 2011
Nominations and Recognition
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Pushcart Prize Nomination (2022) for poem "A Burning Ship Carrying Luxury Cars is Adrift in the Atlantic Ocean"
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NCSU Poetry Contest Finalist (2021) for poem "Absence of Memory and a Pile of F Words"
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Best New Poets Nomination (2017) for poem "When Trying to Trick Me, Do"
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Pushcart Prize Nomination (2016) for poem "When Trying to Trick Me, Do"
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Sundress Press Best of the Net Nomination (2016) "The Gift of Forgetting"
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3rd Place, Indy Annual Poetry Contest, 2015
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"After My Great-Grandmother's Funeral" will be traveling on the R-Line throughout April for the Raleigh Review's Poetry on Buses project, 2015
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Runner Up, Dallas Poets Community Chapbook Contest (for unpublished collection Between the Blue), 2014
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Finalist, NC Humanities Council Linda Flowers Literary Award, 2013
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Nominee, AWP Intro Journals Project, 2013
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Honorable Mention, Andrea Saunders Gereighty Poetry Award, 2012
Residencies
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Communications Intern, Elsewhere Museum, Spring and Summer 2015
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Poet in Residence, Art Farm Nebraska, Summer 2011