Clemson English department welcomes National Book Award winner Justin Phillip Reed as new writer in residence

Justin Phillip Reed, winner of the National Book Award for Poetry, has joined the Clemson University Department of English as its new writer-in-residence.

Reed is the second author to come to Clemson as writer-in-residence, following poet Desiree Bailey's successful turn in the role from 2022-2024.

"What impressed me most was his eagerness to work with the Clemson community," said Professor Keith Morris, chair of the writer-in-residence search committee. "He not only showed an interest in community outreach, he knew what kind of community outreach he wanted to do and how he intended to go about it."

"I hope to largely focus my energies and the University's resources toward instituting an ongoing series of free and public creative writing workshops as one method of redistributing wealth, which to me includes not just currency but also the commodities of linguistic autonomy, creative audacity and time," Reed explained.

Reed is a native of Florence, South Carolina, whose debut poetry collection, Indecency, earned the National Book Award for Poetry in 2018. Since the success of Indecency, he has also penned The Malevolent Volume (Coffee House Press, 2020) and With Bloom Upon Them and Also With Blood: A Horror Miscellany (Coffee House Press, 2023).

The themes of his works run the gamut of Reed's unique interests and experiences growing up as queer in South Carolina.

"As a teenager, given my normal angst and need for catharsis and wish-fulfillment, I cultivated an interest in alt-rock/metal and horror movies, which I've held onto and even insisted on integrating into my writing and teaching," he said.

Reed's road to becoming an author took a few twists, which he credits with helping him find his calling. Originally enrolled at the Tusculum University, he transferred to the University of South Carolina before dropping out to work at a Columbia restaurant.

"I consider this the time I most grew as a writer because, up to then, it was the time I most lived," he explained, referring to his work in the restaurant industry. "The relationships built in those jobs are, I think, among the most authentic and rewarding. Minimum- and server-wage labor made me want to help bring writing back to people," he added.

Eventually, Reed made his way back to Tusculum to complete his bachelor's degree before earning his MFA at Washington University in St. Louis.

Writing Events

One of the first events Reed has planned to support writers in the Clemson area is a Community Writing Workshop on November 17, from 3-5:00 p.m. at the Wren Meeting Room of the Anderson County Library Main Branch at 300 N McDuffie Street, Anderson, SC. Reed will lead the workshop in partnership with Greenville-based poet and journalist Dani Janae. The workshop is open to members of the public ages 16 and up.

The workshop will be focused on conjuring memories connected to movies using film-inspired writing exercises.

As writer-in-residence, he will also continue the Department of English's Visiting Writers Series with "S.C. Writers Showcase: A Reading & Conversation with DéLana R. A. Dameron & Willie Lee Kinard III" on November 19 from 6-8 p.m. in the Watt Center Auditorium.

While helping writers develop their talent, Reed said he generally avoids giving advice.

"There are so many ways to be a creative writer. Really the only requirement is that one write," he said. "Everything else is a matter of preference, taste, and most likely capital."

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