Gerry LaFemina’s most recent collection of poems is 2023’s After the War for Independence. Other recent books are The Pursuit: A Meditation on Happiness (creative nonfiction) and Baby Steps for Doomsday Prepping (prose poems). His previous books include a novel, a collection of short stories, and over a dozen poetry titles. A noted arts activist who has served on the Board of Directors of the AWP and edited numerous literary journals and anthologies, LaFemina founded the Center for Literary Arts at Frostburg State University, where he is a Professor of English, serves as a Mentor in the MFA Program at Carlow University, and is a current Fulbright Specialist in Writing, Literature, and American Culture. In his “off” time he is the principal song writer and front man for western Maryland original rockers, The Downstrokes, and is Board President of Savage Mountain Punk Arts.