Ross Gay is an American poet, essayist, and professor renowned for his award-winning works that blend poetry with meditative prose. His critically acclaimed poetry collection "Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude" earned the National Book Critics Circle Award for Poetry and the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award, in addition to being named a finalist for the National Book Award for Poetry. He has also published "The Book of Delights," a genre-defying collection of essays, and two other poetry collections: "Against Which" and "Bringing the Shovel Down."
Beyond his writing, Gay is deeply engaged in literary and community initiatives. He co-founded the online sports magazine "Some Call it Ballin'" and serves as a founding board member of the Bloomington Community Orchard, a nonprofit dedicated to food justice. His honors include fellowships from Cave Canem, the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference, and the Guggenheim Foundation. Gay teaches poetry at Indiana University and in Drew University’s low-residency MFA program, continuing to influence both literature and his community through his multifaceted career.
Ross Gay is an American poet, essayist, and professor known for his award-winning works that explore themes of joy, gratitude, and human connection. His poetry collection "Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude" received the National Book Critics Circle Award for Poetry and the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award, while also being named a finalist for the National Book Award. He has authored two additional poetry collections, "Against Which" and "Bringing the Shovel Down," as well as "The Book of Delights," a hybrid work blending essays and poetic reflections.
A dedicated educator and community advocate, Gay teaches at Indiana University and Drew University’s low-residency MFA program. He co-founded the online sports magazine "Some Call it Ballin'" and serves on the board of the Bloomington Community Orchard, a nonprofit promoting food justice. His literary contributions have been recognized with fellowships from Cave Canem, the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference, and the Guggenheim Foundation. Through his writing and activism, Gay continues to inspire readers with his celebration of everyday wonder.