BIO

Diane Raptosh’s collection American Amnesiac (Etruscan Press), was longlisted for the 2013 National Book Award in poetry. The recipient of three fellowships in literature from the Idaho Commission on the Arts, she served as the Boise Poet Laureate (2013) as well as the Idaho Writer-in-Residence (2013-2016). In 2018 she won the Idaho Governor’s Arts Award in Excellence. She teaches literature and creative writing at the College of Idaho. Additionally, she teaches two courses, The Prison Experience and Prose and Cons: American Prison Literature, which serve both the English and Criminology programs. Her ninth poetry collection, I Eric America, was published in fall 2024 (Etruscan Press).

EDUCATION

M.F.A., Poetry, University of Michigan

B.A., English & Languages, The College of Idaho

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Diane Raptosh is a highly active ambassador for poetry. She has given poetry readings and taught poetry workshops in classrooms and libraries, in prisons and on riverbanks. She is frequently interviewed; for example, Raptosh’s I Eric America was featured on:

• The Best American Poetry Blog: https://blog.bestamericanpoetry.com/the_best_american_poetry/2024/09/an-interview-with-diane-raptosh-by-nin-andrews.html

• A Writer’s World with Shaun Griffin // Diane Raptosh’s I Eric America – KWNK 97.7FM | Podcast on Spotify

SCHOLARSHIP & RESEARCH

I Eric America (Etruscan Press, Fall 2024)

Hand Signs from Eternity’s Yurt (Kelsay Books, 2022)

Run: A Verse History Victoria Woodhull, published in Trio (Etruscan Press Trilogies, 2021)

Dear Z: The Zygote Epistles (Etruscan Press, 2020)

Human Directional (Etruscan Press, 2016)

American Amnesiac (Etruscan Press, 2013) Longlist, National Book Award

Parents from a Different Alphabet (Guernica, 2008)

Labor Songs (Guernica, 1999)

Just West of Now (Guernica Editions, 1992)

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Raptosh reads from I Eric America at Lamphouse Theater, Twin Falls, ID, Tues. April 15, 2025

Raptosh reads from I Eric America at College of Southern Idaho, Monday, April 14, 2025

Raptosh Shares Sonnet from I Eric America on BSU Radio:

https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/show/something-i-heard/2025-02-06/diane-raptosh-shares-an-untitled-american-sonnet

Raptosh Interviewed about I Eric America on The Poetry Show, Boise:

Raptosh Reads at Jazz and Verse at the Linen Bldg., Boise, Saturday, March 1, 2025

Raptosh Gives Presentation on I Eric America /the Sonnet at Collister Library, Boise, November 19, 2024

Raptosh Reads New Poem at Wildlife Coexistence Network Event, January 25, 2024

https://www.idahopress.com/boiseweekly/arts_and_culture/wine-wildlife-and-poetry-oh-my/article_91fd02d6-bae2-11ee-822b-db29e7503fa9.html

Raptosh: Writing the American Sonnet: Workshop, The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Boise State University Thursday, May 9, 2022

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Idaho Governer’s Arts Award in Excellence, 2018

Idaho Writer-in-Residence, 2013-2016

American Amnesiac, Longlisted for National Book Award in Poetry, 2013

Boise Poet Laureate, 2013

Raptosh’s I Eric America reviewed in the New York Journal of Books:

https://www.nyjournalofbooks.com/book-review/i-eric-america

Raptosh’s Hand Signs from Eternity’s Yurt reviewed in Northwest Review

Lit Comix Poetry Book Review – Debbra Palmer (nwreview.org)