Bill Cushing moved to California to marry in 1996 after spending time in numerous states, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. At the University of Central Florida, Bill Cushing’s peers called him the “blue collar” poet because of his years in the Navy and working on ships before returning to school. Earning an MFA in writing from Goddard College, he retired after more than 20 years teaching at East Los Angeles and Mt. San Antonio colleges. He lives in Glendale with his wife and their son. Honored by Spectrum as among the Top Ten L. A. Poets in 2017 as well as a “Poet to Watch” in 2018, he’s been published in Altadena Poetry Review, Brownstone Review, Metaphor, and West Trade Review. Two of his poems—one nominated for a Pushcart Prize—appeared in both volumes of the award-winning Stories of Music. Along with writing and facilitating a writing group for 9 Bridges Writers Community, Bill and an area musician collaborate as Notes and Letters, which is available on both Facebook and Youtube. A Former Life, a volume of his poetry, was released by Finishing Line Press in 2019 and was recently honored with a Kops-Featherling International Book Award. His chapbook Music Speaks was the 2019 San Gabriel Valley Poetry chapbook winner and has been republished with illustrations; it won a Bronze Medal in the 2021 New York City Book Awards. His new chapbook, . . .this just in. . ., is available through the publishers site (https://www.cyberwit.net/publications/1722) as well as through Amazon. Signed and personalized copies are available directly from Bill by contacting his e-mail (piscespoet@yahoo.com).