Charles Clifford Brooks III, Poet & Southern Collective Experience founder

Cliff made a career out of telling the truth, but not outright. His first book of poetry, The Draw of Broken Eyes & Whirling Metaphysics, first published by Gosslee Books, was nominated for a Pulitzer and Georgia Author of the Year. In April 2017, his second collection of verse, Athena Departs: Gospel of a Man Apart, plus a re-release of The Draw of Broken Eyes & Whirling Metaphysics, both hit the shelves thanks to Backlash Press www.backlashpress.com In 2018, his epic poem, The Salvation of Cowboy Blue Crawford, will be available with special editions that include a CD of original songs and readings from the book. Cliff’s biggest achievement in recent years has been the creation of The Southern Collective Experience. The SCE is a cooperative of professional artists who have the right-and-left-brain ability to keep a business in the black, meet deadlines, and still be pure artists. Four times a year, the SCE publishes a journal of culture, The Blue Mountain Review, and more often hosts open mic/lectures in a variety of places. NPR releases their radio show, Dante’s Old South, every month with a fifth Sunday. Follow Charles Clifford Brooks III on Twitter, Facebook, www.SouthernCollectiveExperience.com & www.CliffBrooks.com