Pisces Poet

Born in Virginia, Bill Cushing grew up in New York but has also lived in Pennsylvania, Missouri, Florida, Maryland, Texas, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. He moved to California in 1996. As an undergraduate at the University of Central Florida, he was often referred to as the “blue collar” poet based on his stint in the Navy and years at shipyards and other blue collar jobs. He earned an MFA in writing from Goddard College in Vermont. Bill recently retired after teaching English at East Los Angeles and Mt. San Antonio colleges. He resides in Glendale with his wife and their son.

Bill has had reviews, articles, and poems published in Another Chicago Magazine, Birders World, Brownstone Review, the Florida Times Union, genius & madness, Mayo Review, Metaphor, Sabal Palm Review Spectrum, and the San Juan Star. His poems have been in several anthologies, including both volumes of the award-winning Stories of Music. Recently he began a collaboration with a musician on a creative project called “Notes and Letters.” He invites those interested to follow their Facebook page or Youtube channel.

In 2017, Bill was named one of the “Top Ten Poets in L.A.,” an honor followed up by being identified as among the “Ten L. A. Poets to Watch in 2018.” His full-length book of poetry, A Former Life, was released in 2019 by Finishing Line Press while Music Speaks, his award-winning chapbook has recently been reconfigured and released to the public.