A poet's first book is often seen as a launching pad for their future body of work. But what happens after a poet's first book? How do poets continue to develop and explore, on and off the page? Poet Jay Deshpande will read a selection of poems from across his book length and chapbook length projects and will discuss what it means to lead a creative life. There will be a discussion with Kundiman fellow and poet Megan Pinto, with Q&A to follow.

Jay Deshpande is the author of The Umbrian Sonnets (PANK Books) and Love the Stranger (YesYes Books). His poems have appeared in American Poetry Review, New England Review, and elsewhere. He is the recipient of a Wallace Stegner Fellowship, a Kundiman fellowship, and residencies at Civitella Ranieri and the Saltonstall Arts Colony. He teaches for Brooklyn Poets and in the MFA Program at Columbia University.

Festival registration is open to the general public for free or with a donation. More information on this event here!