Clarion
University English professor Philip Terman has published another book of
poetry titled “Rabbis of the Air.”
The book is
Terman’s fifth, the others being “What Survives”, “The House of Sages”,
“Book of the Unbroken Days” and “Greatest Hits.” His works have also
appeared dozens of times in journals, newspapers and anthology
publications.
Terman is
well-known in the area for starting the Bridge Coffee House and
Performance Space in Franklin in 1991. The Bridge featured literary
readings, musical performances and artistic exhibits and encouraged and
supported cultural activities in the Franklin area.
He was the
director at the Bridge until 2000.
Terman has
been a professor at Clarion since 1991, and he has taught undergraduate
courses in creative writing, American literature, Jewish literature, world
literature and composition, and graduate courses in creative writing,
contemporary poetics, Kafka and modern Jewish literature.
He was an
adjunct professor of English for three years at Iowa State University
before coming to Clarion.
Terman
received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ohio University and his
Ph.D. from Ohio State University.
He has done
dozens of poetry readings in recent years at universities, conferences,
community centers, bookstores, art and performance spaces, and
coffeehouses.
Terman’s
awards, grants and residencies include serving as poet-in-residence at the
Chautauqua Institute, North Allegheny High School and for the National
Havura Committee at Franklin Pierce College in New Hampshire; receiving a
faculty development grant at Clarion to study the poetry of James Wright;
and nominations for Pushcart Prizes.
He won a
competition for “The House of Sages”, was a finalist for an award for his
poem “For Ganya”, and won first prize at two other competitions.
Terman has
been co-director of the Chautauqua Writers Festival since June 2004 and
chairman of the Clarion University Spoken Arts Series since 1994.
He also
started “Tobeco: A Literary and Arts Journal” in 2000. The journal
attempted to foster the development of writings from this region.
“Rabbis of
the Air” was published by Pittsburgh-based Autumn House Press. More
information on Autumn House Press is available at www.autumnhouseorg.
Terman lives
with his wife, Christine Hood, and their two children, Miriam and Bella,
just outside Grove City in Irwin Township, Venango County. His mailing
address is 4606 Scrubgrass Road, Grove City, 16127.
He can also
be contacted via e-mail at terman@cescowildblue.com.