“A Daughters Poems” Release Party: Celebrating Pitt Greensburg’s Own McKenzie Bonar

This Wednesday at Mckenna Hall 137 at 6 p.m., two gifted writers in the Pittsburgh area will unite to celebrate the release of “A Daughters Poems,” the debut chapbook by McKenzie Bonar. 

McKenzie Bonar, a 21-year-old Pitt Greensburg double major in Creative and Professional Writing/Secondary Education, will be reading poems from her chapbook, which is her Capstone project for her writing major. Copies of Bonar’s chapbook will be available for sale and signing, and a reception will follow the readings.

Scott Silsbe, author of four acclaimed collections of poetry, will be joining her and reading a few of his favorite pieces as well. 

Photo Courtesy of Pitt-Greensburg’s Website

I had the opportunity to talk with both Bonar and Silsbe and get to know more about their passions for writing and the Pittsburgh poetry scene. 

McKenzie Bonar: “I think the hardest thing for me has been the realization that my poems may reach more people than my little writing workshop classes.”

Q:  What made you initially want to be involved with poetry? Was it an event, or a feeling that evolved over time?

A: I’ve always been interested in poetry, but didn’t dive into writing on my own until college. I didn’t think that I could even write until around sophomore year in an intro to poetry class when my professor and classmates were like “hey, this is actually good!” After that, it wasn’t really a choice anymore. All writing assignments, thoughts, and journal entries became poems. 

Q: What was your reaction to being invited to read at the Pittsburgh Bantha Tea Poetry Series among other poets who have been on the scene for years? 

A: I definitely felt, and still feel, imposter syndrome when invited to poetry readings. At Bantha, I was the only college student and had no idea what to expect. I almost said no to doing it because of how freaked out I was reading with talented poets. But it was the best experience ever. Everyone was so supportive and friendly, and I felt comfortable. 

Q:  As you transition into the career of a professional writer, what have been some of the hardest hills to climb during this journey of creating your work and sharing it? 

A: I think the hardest thing for me has been the realization that my poems may reach more people than my little writing workshop classes. I’ll write a narrative poem and love it, then realize “Oh, people will actually be reading this and perceiving me.” I’ve had to learn what I can comfortably share in my work while still creating poems that mean a lot to me. 

Q: Do you have any plans over break to attend any more readings? And if so what readings? 

A: There’s an Uncloistered Poetry – Women of Poetfest Edition that I’m super interested in going to. I know it’s important to stay in the “loop” of poets and continue readings and workshops, especially once I graduate. I think even though everyone I’ve ever read with and met through writing has been nothing but supportive, it’s still super intimidating. Maybe it’s imposter syndrome again, or that I’m still in college. 

Q: What has been the most meaningful piece (in your eyes) of poetry you’ve written so far? 

What makes it stand out amongst the rest in your heart? 

A: Every piece is so close to my heart, but I think “Philia” is currently my most meaningful. Oddly enough, topics that are positive and happy aren’t what I usually write about, so this poem about female friendship always makes me super emotional. My book is about both the crappy parts of womanhood and the parts we should celebrate. The love I have for my friends is something so special that I’ll always want to celebrate. 

Q: What writers/poets inspire you? Who has helped you evolve as a writer?

A: My friends and classmates in the writing department at Pitt Greensburg are my biggest inspiration. They’re all just so great and so willing to write about difficult topics in beautiful ways. I’ll read a line from a friend’s piece and be like “oh my god, that is the most incredible thing I’ve ever read” and I’ll immediately want to write. Reading is the best way to gain inspiration for my own writing, so I’ll usually gravitate towards books about women, working, and everyday life. I love Dana Johnson and Bukowski. I didn’t write a single poem until college. I had no idea how or any clue what I would write about. Newman and Jakiela are just incredible teachers and writers. We all know to treat our assignments and workshops with love and respect. Everyone should take a creative writing class here with them.

Q: What is the best feeling about creating something that a whole community of writers, scholars, and poets appreciate?

A: I just love when I can see or hear something I write that impacts the reader, whether that’s at a reading or in workshops in class. A laugh, a breath in, wide eyes, a smile, anything. It’s the best feeling when I’m reading and have a wow moment at a line or poem, and you kind of just sit with it for a moment. I love that, and I love that people can somehow get that wow moment when reading my work. I also love the relatability people have with my work. Whether it’s something about working with the public, family issues, life in our 20’s, or just life in general, I really appreciate when someone can tell me “I can absolutely relate to this.”

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Scott Silsbe: “Other writers inspire me and enrich my life and my work.”

I also had the opportunity to talk with Silsbe and ask him a few questions about his career, his opinions on Mckenzie’s work, and some of his favorite pieces that he’s written and going to read at the event. 

Q: How many years have you been on the writing scene? What made you initially want to share your thoughts and soul down on paper? Was it an event? A feeling? 

A: I’ve been a part of the Pittsburgh writing community for about 20 years now. I started reading my work out while I was doing a masters in Poetry at Pitt. I’ve been writing since I was in high school though. I’d say that my initial inspiration to write was probably just a feeling I wanted to articulate, but I was also inspired pretty early on reading books by other poets and attending readings by people I admired.

Q:What is your favorite piece you’ve written so far and why? How does it stand out amongst the rest?

A: As far as favorites, maybe either a poem I wrote about the Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet or an essay I wrote about visiting the poet Jack Gilbert at his home in Massachusetts. I think one reason those are favorites is simply because I’ve had people I respect tell me how much they enjoyed them–that they are important to them. But I think both of those pieces also show my gratitude for the work of others–both pieces articulate how other writers inspire me and enrich my life and my work.

Q: How many readings do you think you’ve attended/hosted in the city of Pittsburgh over your career as a writer?

A: Ha–honestly, too many to count. I’m not really sure. I probably attended my first one here in 2000. Say, 10 or 15 a year? So somewhere between 200 and 350 readings?

Q: Who/what inspired you to keep writing after all this time? How do you keep the fire lit?

A: The main thing that inspires me to keep writing is the great community of writers I have here in Pittsburgh, as well as nationally. There are so many great writers who continue to make me want to be a part of the world of poems and books. To name some names–Bob Pajich, Kristofer Collins, Jason Irwin, Lori Jakiela, Dave Newman, Jane McCafferty, Chandra Alderman, & William Taylor, Jr.

Q: What’s your favorite piece that you’ll be reading at the book launch? Why?

A: I guess a favorite of the pieces I’ll be reading at the launch would be a new poem called “Orbital Perspective.” I’m feeling pretty happy with how that poem turned out. It’s kind of “collage-y” but I think it has a logic or sense to it. And it incorporates some of my interest in space and astronomy, but is also grounded by earthly things like a trash truck. I’m also a sucker for love poems or “relationship poems” and it has elements of that in it.

Q: What are some of your favorite aspects about Mckenzie’s writing style and why? 

A: There’s a lot to love about McKenzie’s poems! They are often funny, but also very poignant. They do a great job at capturing 21st century working-class America. There’s a real directness in her poems, but also a richness in detail that I admire. McKenzie’s got a very strong and very unique voice–it jumps off the page.

Q: Do you plan on attending/hosting any readings over break? If so, where and when?

A: I’ll be attending my friend Jason Baldinger’s book launch at Brillobox on December 7th. I think that’s the only one I have coming up besides McKenzie’s launch.

Q: What is your favorite aspect about creating something a whole community of writers can appreciate? What makes the Pittsburgh writing scene so different from other cities’ writing communities?

A: My favorite thing about being a part of the Pittsburgh writing community is just how generous and encouraging the writers are to each other here. It’s a very supportive community.  I think the scene here is unique in that way. Some scenes are more competitive and not as friendly or welcoming. I love how it is here in Pittsburgh, it feels like we are all in this thing together and so we’re all pulling for each other and inspiring each other.