Voices of Central New York: Poets Rachael Ikins and Laura Williams French.

Rachael Ikins is a multiple Pushcart and CNY Book Award nominee, and 2018 Independent Book Award Winner. She is the author of 6 chapbooks, a full length collection, a fantasy and a new mixed genre memoir, Eating the Sun. Her work has appeared worldwide in journals and anthologies. She is a prize-winning visual artist; her work appears on book covers and illustrations and has been hung in galleries from Central New York to Albany to Washington, DC. A writing consultant, Ikins is a member of NLAPW and Associate Editor of Clare Songbirds Publishing House.

Laura Williams French has a BA and MA in Literature from SUNY Empire State College. An avid reader since childhood, Laura boasts a diverse personal library of hundreds of books. Laura published her first book of poetry, The Weight of a Box, in 2018 about the life and loss of her sister from a drug overdose. Her poetry has been featured in the Esthetic Apostle and The Scarlet Leaf Review. Laura will release her book of humorous short stories, Wigs, Cars, and Sectional Sofas: Surviving Childhood in the 70's in 2019. Just Poets Presents! Is a "no donation required, no donation refused" event that is always free and open to the public; please, #PayThePoets. Nox Craft Cocktail Lounge, 302 North Goodman Street in the Village Gate Square, offers us the use of their beautiful, cozy venue at no cost; please patronize our hosts! We can't wait to see you there!