Second Sunday Poetry Reading to feature Faleeha Hassan and Keith O’Shaughnessy



(PRINCETON, NJ) — Princeton Makes, a Princeton-based artist cooperative, and Ragged Sky Press, a local publisher focused on poetry, will host a Second Sunday Poetry Reading on Sunday, January 14 at 4:00pm.  The readings will take place at the Princeton Makes store in the Princeton Shopping Center. The January reading will feature Faleeha Hassan and Keith O’Shaughnessy. Their readings will be followed by an open mic available to up to 10 audience members who would like to read their original poetry.

Faleeha Hassan is a poet, teacher, editor, writer, and playwright, born in Najaf, Iraq, in 1967, who now lives in the United States. Faleeha was the first woman to write poetry for children in Iraq. She received her master’s degree in Arabic literature and has now published 26 books Her poems have been translated into many languages. She has been nominated for both the Pulitzer and Pushcart prizes.

Keith O’Shaughnessy’s latest book, Petrushka (Ragged Sky), is a collection of poems and fables set in a quasi-Russian dreamscape. His first book of poems, Incommunicado, won the inaugural Grolier Discovery Award. His second, Last Call for Ganymede (Ilora Press) followed in 2014. He also authored three chapbooks (all Pudding House Press). A lifelong resident of Princeton, he teaches English at Camden County College in southern New Jersey.

Princeton Makes is a cooperative comprised of 35 local artists who work across a range of artistic genres, including painting, drawing, stained glass, sculpture, textiles, and jewelry. Customers will be able to support local artists by shopping for a wide variety of art, including large paintings, prints, custom-made greeting cards, stained glass lamps and window hangings, jewelry in a variety of designs and patterns, and more.

Ragged Sky is a small, highly selective cooperative press.  They work with their authors closely.  Authors retain copyright and they use their experience and professional resources to support the author’s work through the editing, production, and design process.  Ragged Sky Press has historically focused on mature voices, overlooked poets, and women’s perspectives.