Poets
Pacosz, Christina V.
October 12, 1946 -
Place of Birth: Detroit, MI
Place of Principle Residence: Kansas City, KA
Biography:
Christina V. Pacosz was born to Sophia and Walter Pacosz in Detroit, MI. Both of her parents were working-class and Polish-American, and raised their daughter in Detroit. Pacosz earned her BS at Wayne State University in 1970, and briefly attended Jagiellonian University in Poland. In 1993 she was accepted in the M.F.A. Creative Writing Program at the University of Alaska. She has written six books of poetry and her work (including both poetry, short stories, and reviews) has appeared in many publications, including the I-70 Review, Jane’s Stories III, Women Writing Across Boundaries, and Pemmican. In addition to being a writer, she has worked as a small press book bus driver, waitress, library clerk, carpenter’s apprentice, teacher, and poet in the schools in several states. She now lives with her husband in Kansas City where she teaches urban youth.
Selected Works:
- This Is Not a Place to Sing (1987)
- Notes From the Red Zone (1983)
- Shimmy Up to This Fine Mud (1976)
- In, A Gathering of Poets (1992)
Awards:
- 2003 Prairie Poets Award
- 1994 Achievement Award in Fiction from Now & Then
Relevance of Place to Author’s Work:
Pacosz was born and raised in a working-class family in Detroit, MI where she experienced the social struggles of those around her. After being educated at Wayne State University, Pacosz left Michigan, but her childhood experiences stayed in her writing.
Pederson, Miriam E.
January 5, 1948
Place of Birth: Windom, MN
Place of Principle Residence: Grand Rapids, MI
Biography:
Miriam E. Pederson was born to Regina and Gordon Kling in Windom, MN. She graduated with a BA from Bethel College in 1966 and taught for several years in secondary education as an English teacher. In 1981 she went back to school at Western Michigan University, earning her MFA in creative writing. Since 1983 she has taught at Aquinas College as a professor of English, specializing in creative writing and literature. Her poetry has appeared in numerous journals and anthologies, including New Poems from the Third Coast. Besides teaching and writing, Pederson gives poetry workshops and presentations to local schools and groups. Recently her poems have been on display in local and regional galleries in collaboration with her husband’s (Ron) sculpture. She lives in Grand Rapids Michigan with her husband and has two children, Benjamin and Madeline.
Selected Works:
- This Brief Light (2003)
- The Third Coast (1990)
- Primavera (1981)
Awards:
- 1984, 1985 Cranbrook Writers’ Conference Scholarship
- 1984 Winner of Kent County Poetry Competition
- 1989, 1990 Faculty Development Grants, Aquinas College
- 1997 Honorable Mention - “Renaissance Garden Exhibition,” Grand Rapids Art Museum (poetry in collaboration with sculpture by Dana Freeman)
Critical Reception:
Pederson has received several honors and awards, including an Honorable Mention at the Grand Rapids Art museum and Faculty Development Grants at Aquinas College.
Relevance of Place to Author’s Work:
Pederson is a professor at Aquinas College, teaches workshops at local schools, and has won several awards from the Grand Rapids area. In addition, she has had her poetry displayed galleries both in Grand Rapids and the Michigan region with her husband’s sculptures.
Peeradina, Saleem
October 5, 1944 -
Place of Birth: Bombay, India
Place of Principle Residence: Adrian, MI
Biography:
Saleem Peeradina was born to Noorunnisa and Habib Peeradina in Bombay, India. He graduated from St. Xavier’s College with a BA in 1967, a MA at Bombay University in 1969, and another MA at Wake Forest University in 1973. After earning his Masters degree, Peeradina worked several jobs in Bombay, including as a director at Sophia College for Women and a copywriter for Hindusthan Thompson Associates. In 1989 he moved with his family to teach English at Siena Heights College in Adrian, MI. Peeradina has published several books of poetry, including First Offence in 1980 and Group Portrait (1992). He has given readings across the world, and draws inspiration for his poetry from his life in Bombay. Peeradina lives in Adrian, Michigan with his wife and has two children: Shoneizi and Lail.
Selected Works:
- First Offence (1980)
- Group Portrait (1992)
Awards:
- 1983 British Council Writer’s Grant
- 1971 Fulbright Travel Grant
Critical Reception:
For The Ocean In My Yard:
This unmissable honesty, coupled by the lure of tender nostalgia, takes the reader on a pleasant cruise to the past. There are no tempestuous adventures along the route, but one is unlikely to miss them. A great fan of old Hindi melodies, Peeradina sang his favourite from Awara at the book launch: “Dum bhar tho udhar muh phere, oh chanda… Main unse pyar kar loongi, batein hazar kar loongi.” As you read The Ocean... you want the tumultuous present to look the other way, for a while, and allow us the pleasure of a brief banter with a lyrical past.
- The Hindu (India’s National Newspaper)
Relevance of Place to Author’s Work:
Saleem Peeradina has taught English at Siena Heights College since 1989.
Peterson, Wilfred Arlan
August 21, 1900 - June 2, 1995
Place of Birth: Whitehall, MI
Place of Principle Residence: Grand Rapids, MI
Biography:
Wilfred Arlan Peterson was born to Peter and Elsie Peterson in Whitehall, MI. He graduated from Muskegon High School and took extension coursed from Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. From 1928 to 1965 Peterson worked as a creative direction and vice-president for Jaqua advertising, and in addition served on the advisory board for Sunshine Magazine and the editorial board of Science of the Min Magazine. His inspirational essays first appeared on the “Words to Live By” page of This Week Magazine in 1960, which was in 42 metropolitan Sunday newspapers, reaching over 13 million readers. Shortly after Peterson published his first book, The Art of Living, which quickly turned into a series. Eventually William J. Nicholas, editor of This Week Magazine, recorded Peterson’s first book into an album. In the course of thirty-seven years Peterson published ten books, which were translated into six different languages. His work was said to “save marriages,” and many readers affectionately esteemed him. Between 1970 to 1980 Peterson’s essays were made into greeting cards, calendars, and gift books and appeared in Hallmark stores. Peterson was married to his wife for fifty-eight years, before she passed away. He attributed her to being the inspiration of his books. For the majority of his life, Peterson lived in Grand Rapids Michigan, and had one daughter, Lilian.
Selected Works:
- The Art of Creative Thinking (1991)
- The Art of Living Day by Day (1972)
- The Art of Living (1961)
Awards:
- 1958 George Washington Medal, Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge
- 1963 Silver Medal Award, Advertising Federation of America, National Advertising Man of the Year
Critical Reception:
“One of the best loved American writers of the 20th century, renowned for his inspirational wisdom and aphoristic wit.”
- Independent Publishers Group
For The Art of Marriage:
“[The] most frequently recited English-language wedding poems and one of the greatest odes to matrimony. It embodies the sentiments, the ideals, and the love to which any marriage aspires. The memorable simplicity of its language makes the poem a touchstone for all couples, both at the start of a relationship and after the blessings of a lifetime in love.”
- Souvenir Press
Relevance of Place to Author’s Work:
Peterson spent all of his life in Michigan, living the majority of it in Grand Rapids, MI.
Piirto, Jane M.
December 19, 1941 -
Place of Birth: Negaunee, MI
Place of Principle Residence: Ashland, OH
Biography:
Jane M. Piirto was born to Pearl Eskilinen and George Piirto in Negaunee, MI. She earned her BA in English/Liberal Arts from Northern Michigan University in 1963 and her MA in English from Kent State University in 1966. She worked as an English instructor at Northern Michigan University before going back to school for her M.Ed in counseling at South Dakota State University in 1974, and subsequently her Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Supervision at Bowling Green State University in 1977. Upon graduation, Piirto worked for several schools, including Hunter College Campus Schools where she served as the Principal and Department Chair. Currently she is an Ashland University Trustees’ Professor in Graduate Education teaching graduate courses in the Masters Education department, qualitative research in the Education department, and undergraduate courses in educational psychology and creativity. In addition, she is a consultant, author, and speaker and has traveled throughout the US and abroad. Piirto specializes in fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, and has received many awards for her work, including Individual Artist Fellowships in both poetry and fiction from the Ohio Arts Council. Currently Piirto lives in Ashland, OH and has two children: Steven and Denise.
Selected Works:
- My Teeming Brain: Understanding Creative Writers (2001)
- Between the Memory and the Experience (1996)
- Three Week Trance Diet (1985)
Awards:
- 1999 Parents’ Choice Award and Arizona Glyph Award for Understanding Those Who Create
- 1985 Carpenter Press First Novel Award
- 1980 Finalist, Iowa Short Fiction Contest
- 1993 Individual Artist Fellowship in Poetry, Ohio Arts Council
- 1982 Individual Artist Fellowship in Fiction, Ohio Arts Council
Critical Reception:
For Understanding Creativity:
“a unique adventure into the world of creative individuals, past and present…a valuable addition to the field of education.”
- Colleen Harsin, Davidson Institute
“!!!!!Must Read”
- Today’s Books
“many hidden treasures…an excellent book for anyone interested in creativity”
- Northwestern University, Center for Talent Development
“I can’t imagine a more complete publication anywhere about creativity”
- CAG Communicator, Summer, 2004
“issues she raised were very real, and they resonated with my observations and experiences with creative personalities, children and adults.”
-Gifted and Talented International, Spring, 2004
“offers advice on how to plan adventures while incorporating creativity values into one’s own family or classroom culture…entertaining.”
- Gifted Child Today, Fall, 2004
With Understanding Creativity, Jane Piirto undoubtedly makes a significant contribution to the field of creativity studies.”
-Roeper Review, Winter, 2005
Relevance of Place to Author’s Work:
Piirto grew up in Negaunee Michigan, and earned her BA at Northern Michigan University and in addition taught at the same university for five years. In her poetry, some of her themes revolve around the landscape she experienced while growing up in Michigan.