Writing Biography
GUY CRAIG is an American poet from Coos Bay, Oregon, where he grew up along the South Fork Coos River, in the same home owned by his great-great-grandparents. He lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife, Sarah, and his children, Kenneth and Stella.
He holds a Master of Science in Special Education from the University of Oregon and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Portland State University. Guy Craig is the author of five poetry collections: Only You Can Say: New and Selected Poems (2025); Coos River Reverberations: Poems of River, Farm & Forest (2021); Amble (2021); Idling Intuitions: Poems (2022); and, Mast Years: Poems (2022).
In the Weeds
In my first book, CRR, I was heavily influenced by the award-winning works of poets Billy Collins, Mary Oliver, and Dorianne Laux. At the end of the publication process, I started to read every book I could find by Michael McGriff (from my hometown of Coos Bay), a star student of Dorianne Laux while they were both at the University of Oregon. His recommendations led me to explore the works and styles of Ginger Andrews (From North Bend, which is the city that shares a border with Coos Bay), Richard Hugo, Lewis Turco, and one of Oregon’s most famous poets, William Stafford (and his son, Kim Stafford). Along the way, I’ve read many more wonderful poets whose love for nature writing and place-based stories continue to inspire my writing.
With each book I have written, I have tried to learn new techniques and approaches, which is a key motivator for me. Early in the creative process, I decided to write what I knew. With any luck, it’ll grow. It’s not much, but I want to do that well. I expect to always write about what is often close, overlooked, and uncomfortable.
Only You Can Say: New and Selected Poems is available now at major retailers like Only You Can Say: New and Selected Poems: Craig, Guy: 9781733496872: Amazon.com: Books. Step into Guy Craig’s world, where grief meets growth, and see why this unheralded talent deserves a place on your shelf.
Media Contact:
Guy Craig www.guycraigpoetry.com
guycraigpoetry@gmail.com
