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Writer and Faculty Member, North Carolina School of the Arts

Joseph Mills holds degrees in literature from the University of Chicago, the University of New Mexico, and the University of California-Davis.

A faculty member at the North Carolina School of the Arts since 1998, his published work includes poetry, fiction, drama, and criticism. Currently, he writes a regular column on parenting called “Crib Notes” for Latitude Magazine and one called "The Other Side of the Counter" for Small Winery magazine.

He has published a volume of poetry, Somewhere During the Spin Cycle with Press 53, and in the spring 2008, he will publish Angels, Thieves, and Winemakers, a book consisting entirely of wine-related poems.

Joseph and his wife, Danielle Tarmey, are the authors of A Guide to North Carolina's Wineries (John F. Blair, Publisher). The second edition was released in 2007.

Angels, Thieves, and Winemakers

"Angels, Thieves, and Winemakers is a collection of revelations, truths to be found in and about wine. Witty, mordant, melancholy, funny—these bright poems fix and illumine the many moods we may encounter in a bottle of happy red. I shall recommend this volume most heartedly, saying, 'Here, I think this / will help make things a little better.' "— Fred Chappell

Aging

To speak of a wine’s future
is to speak of our own desires,
how we hope as we age
that we’ll become more
harmonious, less acidic,
that our tannins will mellow.
We recognize right now
we have a burst of flavor,
an energy, a liveliness,
but also a harshness
which later may soften
until we’re more balanced,
more approachable,
easier to appreciate.
Hold onto us
we believe
we'll get better.

ORDER FROM AMAZON

Examples of More
Wine Poems
featured in New Works Review

LINKS

Press 53

John F. Blair, Inc.

Latitude Magazine

North Carolina School of the Arts

Upcoming Readings and Appearances:

March 31: Green Bean, "Poetry, Jazz, and Java,"
            Greensboro, 7 pm

April 5: RayLen Winery. Book Release Party:
             Angels, Thieves and Winemakers. 6-8 pm

April 10: Kenan Conversation, Kenan Institute, 5-6 pm

April 11: Malaprop's, Asheville, 7 pm

April 12: Winston-Salem Writers workshop. "The Worst
                Things Ever: Metaphors, Similes, and Beautiful,
                 Dangerous Images" 10:30 am, Central Library
                Auditorium

April 20: The Spot for Tea Parties, Greensboro, 3-5 pm

May 10: Winston-Salem Salute!, NC Wine-of-the-Month
                    booth

May 15: Old North State Winery, 5:30-7:30 pm

May 17: Yadkin Valley Wine Festival, NC Wine-of-the-Month
                    Club booth

May 24: Borders (Morrocroft Village), Charlotte, 1 pm

May 26: Grove Winery, reading and signing, 1-4 pm

May 31: Tanglewood Festival, NC Wine-of-the-Month Club
                    booth

June 6: A Southern Season, Chapel Hill, 5-7 pm

June 12: High Country Writers Group. Workshop.

Jun 14: Waldenbooks, Winston-Salem, 1-4 pm

June 21: Dennis Vineyards, 1-4 pm

October 4: Press 53 Anniversary Party. RayLen Winery

Somewhere During the Spin Cycle

    A Guide to North Carolina's Wineries
       by Joseph Mills and Danielle Tarmey