Third time’s the charm for Pauletta Hansel. The former Writer-in-Residence at Thomas More University and WordPlay has been named The Library Foundation’s 2022 Writer-in-Residence (WIR) for the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library. She also served as the inaugural poet laureate of Cincinnati from 2016-2018.
“I am incredibly honored to be the Library’s next Writer-in-Residence. I would not be the writer—or reader—that I am if it weren’t for the presence of libraries in my life," said Hansel. “To use my passion for writing and community, and hang out at the Library too, what an amazing opportunity.”
During her year as WIR, Hansel serves as the Library’s ambassador in the local literary arts scene, fosters engagement between the Library and local writers, and provides instruction on the craft of writing, both online and in person. The WIR also hosts the podcast Inside the Writer’s Head, writes for the Library’s blog and newsletter, holds office hours, and leads workshops and other events to engage readers and writers of all ages. Hansel's first event as WIR is an intergenerational writing workshop in late January.
“The Foundation is pleased to add the talents of Pauletta Hansel to the Writer-in-Residence program,” said Staci Dennison, the Thomas W. Jones Executive Director of the Library Foundation. “Pauletta’s dedication to building community through writing is a perfect fit for the Library’s mission of learning without limits.”
Funds to support the Writer-in-Residence program are provided through the generous donations of Naomi Tucker Gerwin and The Library Foundation.
Special thanks go out to the WIR Selection Committee: Mike Boberg, Kaya Burgin, Susan Cranley, Staci Dennison, Marilyn Duke, Naomi Tucker Gerwin, Dan Hurley, Ed Loyd, Jessica Strawser, and Kathy Y. Wilson.
ABOUT PAULETTA HANSEL: She is a poet, memoirist, teacher, editor, and the author of nine poetry collections including her newest book, Heartbreak Tree, coming in 2022. She served as the first poet laureate of Cincinnati from April 2016 through March 2018. She received her M.F.A. from Queens University of Charlotte and an M.Ed. from Xavier University. Originally from Appalachian Kentucky, Pauletta has lived in Cincinnati since 1979. She resides in Paddock Hills. To learn more about all the literary publications and community activities she’s involved in, go to CincinnatiLibrary.org/writer-in-residence.
