published elsewhere
my writing journey
Once upon a time in 3rd grade I fancied myself an actual author. Words were the currency I used to express myself and informed most of my educational pursuits, even at a young age. Fast forward to high school, college, marriage, kids and more college and lo and behold, I found this tiny dream come true.* I have been blessed with the kindness of many people who have published my words online and in print.
Besides hard copies of old Letters to the Editor and acceptance emails for essays and poetry, I’ve also had the joy of holding four of my own books in my hands: Mining the Bright Birds: Poems of Longing for Home, (Wipf & Stock, 2023), a small chapbook, “Emmanuel Poems-Verses for the Holidays,” (2024), “Hearts on Pilgrimage-Poems & Prayers,” (2021) and “Living the Season Well-Reclaiming Christmas” (2017, rev. 2018). You can find all of these books on my BOOKS tab, by the way. Thank goodness for 8th grade typing class… but I do miss Smith Corona typewriters!
*Awkward 3rd person bio at the bottom of this page.
Essays & Interviews, Print & Digital
- On Starbuck’s Time, (in)courage magazine
- Poetry in the Classroom, Tweetspeak Poetry
- Interview with poet Laura Reece Hogan, Dappled Things
- Interview with poet Laura Kauffman, Whale Road Review
- Publishing, Platform, and Perspective with Dr. Karen Swallow Prior on ‘The Priory’
- Poetry and Posterity-Interview-My Journey to Becoming a Poet and What I Found Along the Way on ‘Beyond the Bookshelf’ with Matthew Long
Video + Podcast Interviews
- Video Interview – You Tube“I am From” Poem and Conversation
- Writing Off Social Podcast, Episode 24: Finding Your Reader Through Community Connections
- Un-Perfect Podcast, Episode 36: While Waiting: How to Make the Most of Waiting Through Slower Moments
- The Thing with Feathers Podcast, Episode 47: Mining the Bright Birds Book Interview with Courtney Ellis
- Believe to See Podcast, Why People Shouldn’t be Afraid of Poetry
Poetry
- Exodus 13 – Ekstasis Magazine
- Leave Go – Ekstasis Magazine
- Wholly Spirit – Fathom Magazine
- Gilt Gift – Awake our Hearts Online Mag
- Celestial Bodies – Poems for Ephesians, edited by D.S. Martin
- Silent Chorus – Ekstasis Magazine
- The Quiet Season – Clayjar Review, Practice Resurrection Issue
- Wayfinding in Spring and Other Poems – The Way Back to Ourselves Journal, Renaissance Issue
Digital
- Ekstasis Magazine—Exodus 13, Leave Go, Silent Chorus
- Fathom Magazine— Wholly Spirit
- Poems for Ephesians, edited by D.S. Martin— Celestial Bodies
- Commonplace Magazine, Poem & Essay in the Preservation Issue
- Joyful Life Magazine-Summer 2020, Delight Issue
Awkward 3rd Person Bio: Jody Collins attended Fullerton Junior College in California where she majored in English and Journalism. She holds a B.A. in Liberal Studies and Teaching Credential from Fresno State University, 1991 with an Early Childhood Endorsement. In addition to spending 20 plus years in the classroom, she’s been writing online and in print for over 25 years. She’s not on social media but you can find her on Pinterest at AuthorJodyLeeCollins