Teacher. Poet. So-called “Master of Fine Arts.” AKA: All-around Misfit.
As indicated (to varying degrees) in the moving picture-show below…
Cool Things that Have Happened So Far in the Life of TJ Beitelman
Magic Citizenship. Michael Ondaatje. Songs (e.g., “Half Light II (No Celebration)” by Arcade Fire). Poems (e.g., “Spring Drawing 2” by Robert Hass). Stories (e.g., “Here We Aren’t, So Quickly” by Jonathan Safran Foer). Wheatfield with Crows, in person, up close. Teaching. Being taught. Some degrees, one of them “terminal,” which sounds bad but really is supposed to be good. A day job that does not feel like work. Some grants. Some fellowships. Some awards. Some publications. Etc.
Cool Things that Have Not Happened So Far in the Life of TJ Beitelman
Total Enlightenment. National Book Award. Space Walk. World Travel. NYT Bestseller. Hole-in-one. Etc.
Cool Institutions that Have Been Instrumental in the Life of TJ Beitelman
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University. The University of Alabama. The Alabama School of Fine Arts. The Alabama State Council on the Arts. The Cultural Alliance of Greater Birmingham. The Gorham’s Bluff Institute. Black Lawrence Press. Dream Horse Press. Black Warrior Review. Alabama Heritage. Amazon.com. Etc.
