Meg Johnson

{{Short description|American poet}} {{About||the English actress|Meg Johnson (actress)|other uses}} {{Infobox writer | name = Meg Johnson | image = File:Meg Johnson profile shot.png | image_size = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date =  | birth_place = [[Ames, Iowa|Ames]], [[Iowa]] | death_date =  | death_place = | resting_place = | occupation = {{flat list | * [[Poet]] * [[Lecturer]] }} | language = | nationality = | ethnicity = | citizenship = | education = [[Master of Fine Arts|MFA]] in [[Creative Writing]] | alma_mater = [[University of Akron]] | period = | genre = [[Poetry]] | subject = | movement = | notableworks = | spouse = | partner = | children = | relatives = | awards = | signature = | signature_alt = | years_active = | website = {{URL|megjohnson.org}} }}

'''Meg Johnson''' is an American [[poet]] and [[lecturer]].<ref name="ISD">{{cite news | last=Sowder| first=Courtney| title =ISU poet claims literary award| newspaper =[[Iowa State Daily]]| date =27 May 2015 | url =http://www.iowastatedaily.com/news/academics/article_1f548078-0430-11e5-a6c6-b7225a4bdfde.html?mode=story| accessdate =6 October 2015}}</ref> Her poems have appeared in numerous [[literary magazines]], including ''[[Midwestern Gothic]]'',<ref name="MG">{{cite news | title =Contributor Spotlight: Meg Johnson| publisher =[[Midwestern Gothic]]| date =August 2012 | url =http://midwestgothic.com/2012/08/contributor-spotlight-meg-johnson/| accessdate =6 October 2015}}</ref> ''[[Slipstream Magazine]]'',<ref name="Edge">{{cite news| last =Cheslock| first =Stephanie| title =Meg Johnson| publisher =[[Edgewood College]]| date =10 January 2012| url =http://www.edgewood.edu/News/meg-johnson| accessdate =6 October 2015| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20160921030616/http://www.edgewood.edu/News/meg-johnson| archive-date =2016-09-21| url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[Word Riot]]'', ''[[Hobart (magazine)|Hobart]]'', and many others.<ref name="Crier">{{cite news| title =Author Note: Meg Johnson| publisher =Puritan Magazine| date =26 October 2013| url =http://town-crier.ca/ephemera/author-note-meg-johnson/| accessdate =6 October 2015| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20150628074600/http://town-crier.ca/ephemera/author-note-meg-johnson/| archive-date =2015-06-28| url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Battered">{{cite news | last=Neun| first=Fawn| title =Author Insides - Meg Johnson | publisher =Battered Suitcase Press| date =23 October 2011 | url =http://batteredsuitcasepress.blogspot.com/2011/10/author-insides-meg-johnson.html| accessdate =6 October 2015}}</ref> Her first collection of poems, ''Inappropriate Sleepover'', was released in 2014, her second collection, ''The Crimes of Clara Turlington'', was released in December 2015.,<ref name="ISD"/> and her third book, ''Without: Body, Name, Country'' is due to release in September 2020. She is also the current editor of the ''Dressing Room Poetry Journal''.<ref name="3Qs"/>

==Early life and education== Johnson was born and raised in [[Ames, Iowa|Ames]], [[Iowa]].<ref name="ISD"/><ref name="MG"/> She enjoyed dance as a child and wrote poems in high school.<ref name="ISD"/> She danced with the [[Iowa State University]] dance department in high school and later studied dance at [[Columbia College Chicago]] and the [[University of Iowa]]. Johnson left college early in order to pursue a professional career in dance.<ref name="Madison">{{cite news| title =Poetry reading features former Madison College student| publisher =[[Madison Area Technical College|Madison College]]| date =21 April 2014| url =http://matters.madisoncollege.edu/articles/announcements/2014-04-21/5542/poetry-reading-features-former-madison-college-student| accessdate =6 October 2015| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20150628034641/http://matters.madisoncollege.edu/articles/announcements/2014-04-21/5542/poetry-reading-features-former-madison-college-student| archive-date =2015-06-28| url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Barjche">{{cite news| title =Barjche 2002| publisher =[[Iowa State University]]| date =10 August 2002| url =http://www.theatre.iastate.edu/barjche-2002/| accessdate =13 October 2015| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20160827093407/http://www.theatre.iastate.edu/barjche-2002/| archive-date =27 August 2016| url-status =dead}}</ref> She eventually became a principal dancer at the Kanopy Dance Company, the resident company at the [[Overture Center for the Arts]] in [[Madison, Wisconsin|Madison]], [[Wisconsin]].<ref name="Edge"/> During her six years at Kanopy, Johnson returned to school, attending [[Madison Area Technical College|Madison College]] and [[Edgewood College]]. There, she was convinced to begin studying writing.<ref name="Edge"/><ref name="Madison"/> She went on to the [[University of Akron]] where she entered and completed the [[NEOMFA|Northeast Ohio Master of Fine Arts]] program (NEOMFA) in creative writing in 2014.<ref name="SAGES">{{cite news | title =March 2013: Meg Johnson | publisher =The Society of Akron Graduate English Scholars| date =March 2013 | url =https://uakronsages.wordpress.com/student-in-the-spotlight-archive-2/2013-march-meg-johnson/| accessdate =6 October 2015}}</ref><ref name="DR">{{cite news | last=Inefoku| first=Harrison| title =Meg Johnson, English faculty member, wins award!| publisher =Digital Repository at [[Iowa State University]]| date =28 April 2015 | url =https://drisu.wordpress.com/2015/04/28/meg-johnson-english-faculty-member-wins-award/| accessdate =6 October 2015}}</ref>

==Career== As a dancer at the Kanopy Dance Company,<ref>{{cite web|first1=Elisabeth|last1=Sherman|accessdate=2020-06-04|title=Why Fashion Loves Leotards, Cropped Sweaters, and Leg Warmers|url=https://www.racked.com/2017/2/15/14462108/dancewear-ballet-fashion|date=15 February 2017|website=Racked}}</ref> Johnson took on numerous roles and choreographed her own dances.<ref name="Dance1">{{cite news | last=Christians| first=Lindsay| title =Kanopy Dance's visions of 'Autumn' | publisher =Madison.com| date =12 November 2009 | url =http://host.madison.com/entertainment/arts_and_theatre/article_0f214a20-cede-11de-bdaa-001cc4c03286.html| accessdate =6 October 2015}}</ref><ref name="Dance2">{{cite news | last=Archwamety| first=Rena| title =Review: Kanopy's 'Dark Nights' highlights theatrical side of dance| publisher =Madison.com| date =17 April 2010 | url =http://host.madison.com/entertainment/arts_and_theatre/reviews/article_5e06885c-4a22-11df-b7a7-001cc4c002e0.html| accessdate =6 October 2015}}</ref> She became a principal dancer at the company midway through her tenure. She also served as a dance teacher at the Kanopy School for [[Contemporary dance|Contemporary Dance]] and Choreography.<ref name="Edge"/>

Johnson began submitting poems to literary magazines in 2009 and published her first poem in a 2009 issue of ''Slipstream Magazine''.<ref name="Slip2009">{{cite web |url=http://www.slipstreampress.org/backiss.html |title=Slipstream Back Issues|author= |website=www.mcdb.uscb.com |publisher=[[Slipstream Magazine]] |accessdate=13 October 2015}}</ref> As early as 2010, Johnson performed her written work at poetry readings in the Madison area.<ref name="Porch">{{cite news | last=Fienne| first=Brianna| title =Back Porch Reading| newspaper =On The Edge| date =22 October 2010 | url =https://ontheedgemadison.wordpress.com/2010/10/22/65/| accessdate =6 October 2015}}</ref><ref name="License">{{cite news| last =Lorig| first =Carrie| title =Poetic License: Navigating Madison's Lit Scene Part 2| publisher =Dane101| date =21 February 2011| url =http://dane101.com/arts/2011/02/21/poetic_license_navigating_madisons_lit_scene_part_2| accessdate =6 October 2015| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110309225027/http://www.dane101.com/arts/2011/02/21/poetic_license_navigating_madisons_lit_scene_part_2| archive-date =2011-03-09| url-status=dead}}</ref> Her poems were accepted at publications like ''Slipstream Magazine'', ''Asinine Poetry'', the ''Pacific Coast Journal'', and the ''Edgewood Review''.<ref name="Edge"/>

In 2011, Johnson became a teaching assistant at the University of Akron where she also studied poetry. She also served as the poetry editor of the ''Rubbertop Review''. She became a NEOMFA candidate at the University of Akron that same year.<ref name="Battered"/> By the end of 2012, her poetry had appeared in publications like ''Midwestern Gothic'',<ref name="MG"/> ''SOFTBLOW'', the ''Rufous City Review'', ''Wicked Alice'', ''Smoking Glue Gun'', and numerous others.<ref name="SAGES"/><ref name="RCR">{{cite news| last =McIlvenna| first =Kirsten| title =Rufous City Review| publisher =Rufous City Review| date =14 January 2013| url =http://www.newpages.com/literary-magazine-reviews/magazine-reviews-archive/2009-07-20/item/5316-rufous-city-review| accessdate =6 October 2015| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121044/http://www.newpages.com/literary-magazine-reviews/magazine-reviews-archive/2009-07-20/item/5316-rufous-city-review| archive-date =29 June 2015| url-status =dead}}</ref>

Johnson's original thesis for the NEOMFA program was picked up by the National Poetry Review Press in 2013. This collection of poems, ''Inappropriate Sleepover'', was released in 2014 by the publisher.<ref name="ISD"/> After completing the NEOMFA program in 2014, Johnson went on to become a lecturer in English at Iowa State University.<ref name="DR"/> Her second book, ''The Crimes of Clara Turlington'', was released in December 2015 by the Vine Leaves Literary Journal press.<ref name="ISD"/> Johnson is also the current editor of the ''Dressing Room Poetry Journal''.<ref name="3Qs">{{cite news| title =Three Questions: Meg Johnson| publisher =Daily Dose of Lit| date =6 April 2015| url =http://dailydoseoflit.com/2015/04/06/three-questions-meg-johnson/| accessdate =13 October 2015| url-status=dead| archive-url =https://archive.today/20160105184916/http://dailydoseoflit.com/2015/04/06/three-questions-meg-johnson/| archive-date =5 January 2016}}</ref>

==Writing style== Johnson writes most often in [[free verse]] on topics generally revolving around [[femininity]] and the commodification of female bodies. Her writing has been described as both "snarky" and "vulnerable" as it discusses and critiques American cultural norms and the societal expectations of women.<ref name="Flyway">{{cite news | last=Futhey| first=Samantha| title =Five Bullet Review: Inappropriate Sleepover by Meg Johnson | publisher =[[Flyway (magazine)|Flyway]]| date =22 September 2014 | url =https://flyway.org/blog/five-bullet-review-inappropriate-sleepover-by-meg-johnson/| accessdate =6 October 2015}}</ref> Her poems also make frequent pop culture references to prominent figures including [[Marilyn Monroe]], [[Betty Boop]],<ref name="Alive">{{cite news | last=Stephenson| first=Hannah| title =Bibliohio: Recommended Reading from the Heart-Shaped State | publisher =[[Columbus Alive]]| date =31 July 2014 | url =http://www.columbusalive.com/content/stories/2014/07/31/bibliohio-recommended-reading-from-the-heart-shaped-state.html| accessdate =6 October 2015}}</ref> [[Justin Bieber]], and [[Victoria's Secret]].<ref name="Flyway"/> Johnson has stated that she draws inspiration from [[Gurlesque]] poets like [[Chelsey Minnis]] and [[Mary Biddinger]].<ref name="SAGES"/>

==Recognition and awards== Johnson won the 2015 Vignette Collection Award from the Vine Leaves Literary Journal for her book, ''The Crimes of Clara Turlington''.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2020-06-04|title=20 Points: Meg Johnson's The Crimes of Clara Turlington|url=https://queenmobs.com/2016/05/19624/|date=9 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2020-06-04|title=The Crimes of Clara Turlington by Meg Johnson|url=http://www.barnowlreview.com/reviews/megjohnson.html|website=www.barnowlreview.com}}</ref> The prize came with the publication of her book and a cash reward.<ref name="ISD"/><ref name="DR"/> Her book, ''Inappropriate Sleepover'', was also nominated for the National Poetry Review Press's Rousseau Prize for Literature.<ref name="Rousseau">{{cite news| title =Inappropriate Sleepover| publisher =National Poetry Review Press| date =24 June 2014| url =http://home.comcast.net/~jpdancingbear/IS.html| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20150504124116/http://home.comcast.net/~jpdancingbear/IS.html| url-status =dead| archive-date =4 May 2015| accessdate =6 October 2015}}</ref> Her poem, "Free Samples" was nominated for "Best of the Net" in 2010.<ref name="Battered"/><ref name="BL">{{cite news| title =2010 nominations| publisher =Blood Lotus| date =29 October 2010| url =http://www.bloodlotusjournal.com/2010/10/2010-nominations.html| accessdate =13 October 2015| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20151006074837/http://www.bloodlotusjournal.com/2010/10/2010-nominations.html| archive-date =2015-10-06| url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Works== * ''Inappropriate Sleepover'' (2014, National Poetry Review Press) * ''The Crimes of Clara Turlington'' (2015, Vine Leaves Literary Journal)<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2020-06-04|title=Stephanie Kaylor review of The Crimes of Clara Turlington by Meg Johnson |url=http://www.glass-poetry.com/journal/reviews/kaylor-johnson.html|website=www.glass-poetry.com}}</ref> * ''Without: Body, Name, Country''<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2020-06-04|title=Congratulations to Meg Johnson for getting her third book|url=https://blog.superstitionreview.asu.edu/2020/02/01/contributor-update-meg-johnson/|date=1 February 2020|website=superstitionreview.asu.edu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2020-06-04|title=Catching Up with Meg Johnson|url=https://tinderboxpoetry.com/catching-up-with-meg-johnson}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== * {{Official|www.megjohnson.org}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Meg}} [[Category:American women poets]] [[Category:University of Akron alumni]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]