Caption edited to correct photo creditPhoto byWorld Stage Press

New book release

Poet and writer Marlana-Patrice Pugh Hamer loves sharing with others both on the page and at live events. This talented San Tan Valley resident will release her debut poetry collection, Taking Off My Black & White Saddle Shoes: Cleveland Poems, her memoir in verse (World Stage Press) next weekend. A virtual book event hosted by Andrés Sánchez will take place on Sunday, May 19, 6-7:30 PM MT on Zoom. Guest poets will be pw., Ashanti Webster, Camari Carter Hawkins, Marissa Forbes, and Estela Victoria-Cordero. Admission to the event is free. If you’d like to join the virtual audience, just click on this link to RSVP. You can also pre-order her book while registering.

Marlana-Patrice Pugh HamerPhoto byMPPH

Mark your calendar — and don’t forget to RSVP!

• WHAT: Celebrate the virtual book release of Taking Off My Black & White Saddle Shoes by Marlana-Patrice Pugh Hamer
• WHEN: Sunday, May 19, 6-7:30 PM MT & PT/9-10:30 PM ET
• WHERE: ZOOM, just click on this link to RSVP

Poets Marlana-Patrice and Ashanti Webster. Webster will be one of the guest poets at Marlana-Patrice’s virtual book release event.Photo byMPPH

Other upcoming events with Marlana-Patrice

Juneteenth

For the second consecutive year, Marlana-Patrice will be performing a special occasion poem at the Queen Creek Juneteenth Festival on Saturday, June 15. This celebration will be at Crismon High School 21942 E Riggs Road. From 10-4 PM. Marlana-Patrice joins both local and national performers for the Juneteenth Jamboree in the Crismon High School Auditorium. She also plans to sell copies of her debut poetry book that day. For more information about this event, go to reach1one.org.

In 2023, Marlana-Patrice performed one of her poems at a HomeBase Day Poetry Open MicPhoto byMPPH

Recent Interviews

Marlana-Patrice was interviewed for the May 12 edition of KRDP Indie’s The Alvin Galloway Show (TAGS). She performed three of her favorite poems from Taking Off My Black & White Saddle Shoes. They discussed her life in Cleveland, her career as a full-time English teacher, and her creative process. Her TAGS interview is now available on Spotify.

Also, she recently performed one poem and talked with KNAU’s Steven Law for an episode of PoetrySnaps! It will start airing this Friday, May 17.

Marlana-Patrice Pugh Hamer with a copy of her new book.Photo byMPPH

If you’d like to invite Marlana-Patrice to perform at your upcoming event, message her via linktr.ee/marlanapph.

Photo byMPPH

Hear Marlana-Patrice perform her special occasion poem, “May the Fierce Be with Us!” for the 19th Annual American Heart Association Phoenix's Annual Luncheon (May 4, 2023).