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

Writers Talk w/ Passengers Press, Summer 2021
West End Poetry Festival Virtual Reading, Fall 2020
Pandemic Poetry, Virtual Reading Series, Spring 2020
Traumedy Show, Pittsboro, NC, Winter 2019
West End Poetry Festival, Carrboro, NC, Fall 2019
Indy's Poetry Contest Winners' Reading @ So & So Books, Raleigh, NC, Spring 2015
Artist Talk @ Elsewhere Museum, Greensboro, NC, Spring 2015
Hands On Literary Fest Reading @ Maison St. Charles, New Orleans, LA, Winter 2014
Featured Reader, Ladyfest, New Orleans, LA, Fall 2014
Panel Discussion “What Are Editors Looking For,” Gulf Coast Association of Creative Writing Teachers, Fairhope, AL, Spring 2013
Featured Reader, River Writers Series, Baton Rouge, LA, Fall 2012
Featured Reader, Ladyfest, New Orleans, LA, Fall 2012
Featured Reader, GCACWT, Fairhope, AL, Spring 2011, 2012, and 2013
Class reading at the Maple Leaf, New Orleans, LA, Winter 2010, 2011, and 2012
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

Pushcart Prize Nomination (2022) for poem "A Burning Ship Carrying Luxury Cars is Adrift in the Atlantic Ocean"
NCSU Poetry Contest Finalist (2021) for poem "Absence of Memory and a Pile of F Words"
Best New Poets Nomination (2017) for poem "When Trying to Trick Me, Do"
Pushcart Prize Nomination (2016) for poem "When Trying to Trick Me, Do"
Sundress Press Best of the Net Nomination (2016) "The Gift of Forgetting"
3rd Place, Indy Annual Poetry Contest, 2015
"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
Runner Up, Dallas Poets Community Chapbook Contest (for unpublished collection Between the Blue), 2014
Finalist, NC Humanities Council Linda Flowers Literary Award, 2013
Nominee, AWP Intro Journals Project, 2013
Honorable Mention, Andrea Saunders Gereighty Poetry Award, 2012

Residencies

Communications Intern, Elsewhere Museum, Spring and Summer 2015
Poet in Residence, Art Farm Nebraska, Summer 2011