BIOGRAPHY
Irena Praitis is an accomplished poet and scholar, as well as a professor of literature and creative writing at California State Univeristy, Fullerton. She was born on April 20, 1967 and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. She earned her BA in English Literature from Carleton College in 1989 and obtained her MA in English Language and Literature in 1992 from Washington University at St. Louis, along with her MFA and PhD at Arizona State University in 2001. In the spring of 2005, Praitis was a Fulbright Scholar to Vilnius, Lithuania. She has translated poetry from Lithuanian to English, which has been featured in Rhino, The International Poetry Review, Buckle & Visions International, Absinthe, and Basalt. Praitis has written two volumes of poetry (Touch and Branches), and a book (One Woman’s Life) about her grandmother. Her poems have been published in journals including Denver Quarterly, Rattle, Slant, The Mid-America Poetry Review, Mochilla Review, Manzanita, The California Quarterly, SLAB, and Blueline. Irena Praitis identifies with poets who strive for clarity of thought and beauty of presentation. She has been inspired by many reputable writers including Emily Dickinson, Elizabeth Bishop, Sylvia Plath, Robert Frost, John Keats, Alfred Lord Tennyson and many contemporary poets, including the work of Matt Rasmussen, Mary Szybist, |
Terrence Hayes, Mary Oliver, Lucille Clifton, and Kay Ryan. She writes in several veins inclusive of modified formal and free verse. Her work is most recognized with an emphasis on nature, interpersonal/confessional and historical poetry. Focusing on her book of poems, Branches, Praitis said that she wanted to write as clearly as she could about matters of the heart. She often notices that, as writers, “We speak the language of commerce, the language of politics, the language of social propriety (or rebellion), but we still struggle when it comes to emotions and matters of the heart.” Her overall message to readers is, “The more practice we have thinking through and speaking our truths, the more we'll be able to push back against the expectations that ask us to deny or lie to ourselves. Being open, being true, being strong--I hope the poems can work toward that.”
Irena Praitis is not only a professor and distinguished writer and poet, she is an inspiration and mentor. She also identifies as a feminist and believes action should be taken or attention should be given to matters of unfairness. She is a humble advisor, as she graciously guides students towards the path beyond their creative limits. As students, we can closely relate to her literary struggle and perseverance. The very first time she sent her work to a literary journal, it was a class assignment. Her best advice to us student writers: “If you're called to write, believe in that more than anything else. Recognition comes and goes, publication comes and goes, but the capacity to create, to write, to answer the call to put words on paper is something that's yours. Staying close to the creating helps a writer weather all of the other uncontrollable elements of the publishing world.” Professor Praitis’ ambition and passion for words awakens our minds and our hearts. She is our celebrated California poet.
Irena Praitis is not only a professor and distinguished writer and poet, she is an inspiration and mentor. She also identifies as a feminist and believes action should be taken or attention should be given to matters of unfairness. She is a humble advisor, as she graciously guides students towards the path beyond their creative limits. As students, we can closely relate to her literary struggle and perseverance. The very first time she sent her work to a literary journal, it was a class assignment. Her best advice to us student writers: “If you're called to write, believe in that more than anything else. Recognition comes and goes, publication comes and goes, but the capacity to create, to write, to answer the call to put words on paper is something that's yours. Staying close to the creating helps a writer weather all of the other uncontrollable elements of the publishing world.” Professor Praitis’ ambition and passion for words awakens our minds and our hearts. She is our celebrated California poet.