Ada Limón is a highly acclaimed poet, author, and creative writing instructor. She was born and raised in Glen Ellen and Sonoma, California, and later graduated from New York University’s MFA Creative Writing Program. Her exceptional work has earned her numerous fellowships, including those from the New York Foundation for the Arts, the Provincetown Fine Arts Work Center, and the Chicago Literary Award for Poetry.
Limón has written three books of poetry, Lucky Wreck, This Big Fake World, and Sharks in the Rivers. Her poems are known for their vivid imagery, emotional depth, and exploration of the human experience. Lucky Wreck (Autumn House Press, 2006) was her debut collection, followed by This Big Fake World (Pearl Editions, 2007) and Sharks in the Rivers (Milkweed Editions, 2010). These works have established her reputation as a significant voice in contemporary poetry.
In addition to her poetry collections, Limón has also made notable contributions to the literary world as a judge for the 2013 National Book Award in Poetry. She currently spends her time between Lexington, Kentucky, and Sonoma, California, while maintaining a strong connection to New York. Her dedication to her craft is evident in her concurrent work on a novel, a book of essays, and a new collection of poems. Her book of poems, Bright Dead Things, was published by Milkweed Editions in 2015.
Picture Books
#
Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
In Praise of Mystery
2024
2
And, Too, the Fox
2025
Poetry
#
Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Lucky Wreck
2006
2
This Big Fake World
2006
3
Sharks in the Rivers
2010
4
Bright Dead Things
2015
5
The Carrying
2018
6
The Hurting Kind
2022
7
You Are Here
2024
Ada Limon Anthologies
#
Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Coming Close: Forty Essays on Philip Levine
2013
2
American Journal
2018
3
They Said
2018
4
Constant Stranger
2019
5
Bodies Built for Game
2019
6
Alone Together
2020
7
Another Last Call: Poems on Addiction and Deliverance