Back in 2023 I began a series of reading I called Hot Mic Sessions. It was an opportunity to read my work, to discuss the things going on in the world, and to connect to readers.

ive decided to do another Hot Mic Sessions. And I hope you’ll join me. I’ll be reading poetry (and a bit of science fiction/fantasy)—which will include some new, never before heard work, followed by a Q&A. And along the way I’ll be discussing the current climate.

Please join me on Juneteenth weekend, Sunday June 21, at 6:30 pm ONLINE via ZOOM, for the Return of the Hot Mic!

Here’s a bit about me:

Gerald L. Coleman is a philosopher, theologian, poet, and Science Fiction & Fantasy author. He did his undergraduate work in philosophy, english, and religious studies, followed by a Master's degree in Theology. He is the author of the Epic Fantasy novel series, The Three Gifts, which currently includes, When Night Falls (Book One), A Plague of Shadows (Book Two), and are being prepared for rerelease. His speculative fiction has appeared numerous anthologies including: The Cyberfunk Anthology: The City, the Roaring Lion Anthology: Rococoa, the Urban Fantasy Anthologies: Terminus 1, 2, and 3, the 2019 JordanCon Anthology: You Want Stories?, Dark Universe: Bright Empire, Cyberfunk!, Spacefunk!, the JordanCon 2022 Anthology: Neither Endings Nor Beginnings, and Whether Change: The Revolution Will Be Weird. His essays appear in the polish language Con-Magazine: KONwersacje, Apex Magazine 127, and the Hugo nominated Fanzine: Journey Planet. His poetry has appeared journals, magazines, and anthologies including: Pluck! The Journal of Affrilachian Arts & Culture, Drawn To Marvel: Poems From The Comic Books, Pine Mountain Sand & Gravel Vol. 18, Black Bone Anthology, the 10th Anniversary Issue of Diode Poetry Journal, About Place Journal, Star*line Vol. 43, Issue 4, the Locust Award nominated Year’s Best African Speculative Fiction (2022), and This is the Honey: An Anthology of Contemporary Black Poets.

He has been a Guest Author at DragonCon, Boskone, Blacktasticon, JordanCon, Atlanta Science Fiction & Fantasy Expo, SOBSFCon, The Outer Dark Symposium, World Horror Con, Imaginarium, Multiverse, Weird Bites, NECON, the Atlanta Writers Club, Closer Look with Rose Scott on NPR, Dragonmount’s reWotch, Glitchy Pancakes Podcast, Blacklisted! Book Fair & Conference, and he’s been a Guest Author/Poet/Lecturer at Berea College, University of Kentucky, Centre College (Governor’s School), Transylvania University, Western Carolina University, UNC Charlotte, Florissant College, Kenyon College, Randolph College, the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning, Working Class Kitchen, Black & Lit Book Club, Singletary Center for the Arts (Martin & Malcolm), and the Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Center.

He’s a Scholastic National Writing Juror, a Co-founder of the Affrilachian Poets, a Rhysling Award Nominee, a Locust Award Nominee (anthology), an NAACP Image Award winner (anthology contributor), and a Fellow at the Black Earth Institute. His newest releases include a collection of SF&F short stories entitled, From Earth and Sky, and a collection of poems and micro-essays entitled Incendiary. You can find him at GeraldColeman.com.

And here’s a bit about my work:

This collection of poetry is absolutely astounding. Coleman has such a mastery of language that I often felt that I was there watching events unfold as I read, coming back to reality was almost jarring. The poems ranged from beautiful and sweet to heartbreaking, and you can’t help but feel it all as you read.

—K.R. Wesel

Gerald Coleman’s new collection of poetry and narrative essays is a gem where he explores the nostalgia and pain of growing up Black in Kentucky. The poems spring off the page, painting vivid images of childhood joy, longing, and all types of love, while the inevitable danger of existing while Black in a world that “thinks it’s white” looms large. I was positively blown away by this collection. A thank you to the author for sharing his work, vulnerable and lush.

—E. Giordano

A really heartfelt and powerful collection of poems and short intimate essays about growing up Black in America. My favorite poem was “Port in a Storm”, about the significance of finding safety in a world that can turn against you in a second. A must-read.

—R. Hogan

Gerald L. Coleman was a kind, thoughtful, and generous guest when he visited Kenyon College as an invited writer in fall 2023. He was exceptionally generous to students …  In short he was an insightful and compelling speaker—indeed, more than one student mentioned later how much his visit inspired them as budding poets and fiction writers.

—Orchid Tierney, Assistant Professor of English, Kenyon College

St Louis Community College had the honor of receiving visiting poet and sci-fi/fantasy author Gerald L. Coleman  on campus for a day of signing, reading, and celebration. It was truly a pleasure to watch Gerald connect with the students at the signing, and to hear him read from his works ... His poetry draws rich and vivid images of life as a young boy in Kentucky, of love and longing, and of the experience of Blackness in America. 

—Liz Allen Giordano, St Louis Community College Writing Center 

Coleman is an instinctive and engaging communicator, quick to draw students into the conversation and to both encourage and challenge them. Sometimes in the same breath. He was a great addition to my creative writing course.

—A.J. Hartley, Robinson Professor of Shakespeare, UNC Charlotte

Gerald L. Coleman is a favorite son of Kentucky and writer we love to celebrate at the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning. We featured his triumphant hybrid memoir/poetry collection as our Black and Lit Book Club selection. The work was well received and highly regarded. We can’t say enough good things about this remarkable artist.

—Claudia Love Mair, Coordinator, The Carnegie Center’s Kentucky Black Writers Collaborative