 LOGINS RESOURCES | INFO OFFICES |
UC NEWS
UC Prof to Release New Book of Poems
Leising's Fourth Collection, Limited Edition from Two of Cups Press
Written By Marissa Filletti '18, PR Intern
Early reviews praise Leising's fourth book
Contact - cleogrande@utica.edu
Utica, NY (03/09/2015) - Gary Leising, professor of English at Utica College, is releasing yet another publication. His newest book, “The Girl with the JAKE Tattoo,” is his third chapbook, and features an entirely new collection of poems.Leising was a finalist in the Two of Cups Press Chapbook contest in 2014, and thereafter his collection was chosen for publication. Already being raved about by early readers, the book is praised for Leising’s use of humor and humbleness in illustrating the outbursts of humanity. Author James Cummins compares Leising’s writing to the work of popular comedians, and describes the collection as “unique, dark, funny, and you don’t know where or when the hook will set.” Another fellow author, Mary Biddinger, comments on the collection stating, “With his trademark humor, and penchant for documenting the human condition at its most humble and triumphant, Gary Leising has outdone himself yet again in this collection.”
The book’s cover art displays a playful collage, created by UC professor of Psychology Steven Specht, of two young kids, a monkey, and a goat. When asked what motivated him to include such unrelated and surreal things on the cover of his book, Leising explains that much like the book, the cover “puts together images that don’t really fit.”
Leising’s previous published works include “Fastened to a Dying Animal,” “Temple of Bones,” and “The Alp at the End of My Street,” winner of the 2013 Brick Road Poetry Prize. However, Leising’s list of accomplishments doesn’t stop there. His work has also been featured on the National Public Radio daily show called “The Writer’s Almanac,” as well as in literary journals. In comparison to Leising’s previous publications, he says that he took “bigger risks” in creating this collection, and it is “the wildest” yet.
Two of Cups Press is currently taking preorders at https://twoofcupspress.wordpress.com/titles/. The book is expected to be released soon.
Leising earned his bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Dayton, and master’s degree in creative writing from the University of South Carolina. He later went on to pursue a Ph.D. in English from the University of Cincinnati. Leising joined the UC faculty in 2005.
About Utica College – Utica College, founded in 1946, is a comprehensive private institution offering bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees. The College, located in upstate central New York, approximately 90 miles west of Albany and 50 miles east of Syracuse, currently enrolls over 4,000 students in 36 undergraduate majors, 27 minors, 21 graduate programs and a number of pre-professional and special programs.
