English instructor publishes poetry anthology featuring emerging voices
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Media Contact: Elizabeth Gosney | CAS Marketing and Communications Manager | 405-744-7497 | egosney@okstate.edu
Dr. Remi Recchia, a programs coordinator and adjunct composition instructor with Oklahoma State University's Department of English, recently contributed to contemporary literature with the publication of his anthology, “Transmasculine Poetics: Filling the Gap in Literature & the Silences Around Us."
The poetry anthology, released through Sundress Publications, is the second ever to exclusively highlight transmasculine voices.
"I was inspired to propose the anthology 'Transmasculine Poetics: Filling the Gap in Literature & the Silences Around Us' after reading the groundbreaking 2013 text 'Troubling the Line: Trans & Genderqueer Poetics,' edited by Trace Peterson and T.C. Tolbert," Recchia said.
"'Troubling the Line' was the first poetry anthology to feature the work of trans and genderqueer poets. I found myself returning to the same voices again and again, and, in doing so, I realized that what those writers had in common was their transmasculinity. And I thought, wouldn’t it be cool if there were an anthology devoted to just trans male and otherwise transmasculine poets?"
According to executive director of Sundress Publications, Erin Elizabeth Smith, the organization works to specifically uplift trans and nonbinary writers through publications, workshops and retreats.
“Sundress is so grateful for the work that Remi Recchia has done putting together this thoughtful anthology that shares so many different authors' experiences and words,” Smith said. “We were particularly drawn to this theme since finding work explicitly by transmasculine voices was so difficult and having an anthology that is free and accessible online would provide an opportunity for casual readers and academics to find those voices in one place.”
The anthology fills a gap in transmasculine literature in terms of eros, capturing the lived experiences of several ages. It also explores the sexual relationships of some of these poets from varied racial and ethnic backgrounds.
“I noticed that much of what is discussed in the media is focused on the physical, hormonal and social impacts of transition," Recchia said. “However, many poems in ‘Transmasculine Poetics’ focus instead on sexual relationships and its physical and spiritual implications.”
"My biggest takeaway from creating this anthology was a sense of hunger," Recchia said, noting that he received over 200 submissions and was able to feature 36 writers. "These brilliant poems show that these writers exist and are eager to tell their stories."
Recchia said that his curiosity about emerging trends and discovering new voices led him to represent these poets so others like them could feel seen and valued.
“I hope that individuals, both inside and outside the transmasculine community, will read this and learn something new about themselves, someone they love or a stranger.”
Read more about “Transmasculine Poetics” here.
Story By: Adeola Favour, CAS graduate assistant | fadeola@okstate.edu