Michael Baldwin is a 4th generation Texan and has been an active Texas poet for over fifty years. He has published 5 full books of poetry & has won 3 major awards. His poetry has appeared in numerous journals and anthologies. He has presented his poetry in venues all over Texas, other states, and in England. Michael has also published a mystery novel, a children's science adventure book, a book of flash plays, and four volumes of science-fiction short stories.
“The poets (by which I mean all artists) are finally the only people who know the truth about us. Soldiers don’t. Statesmen don’t. Priests don’t. Union leaders don’t. Only poets.”
Michael holds a BA in Political Science, a Masters in Library Science, and a Masters in Public Administration. He was an administrator with the Fort Worth Public Library and the Plano Public Library, then director of the Montgomery County Library System and the Benbrook Public Library. He also taught American Government at Lone Star College and was a regional supervisor of the 2000 census. Now retired, Mike resides in Marble Falls, Texas, where he writes, hosts a monthly poetry program at the library, and provides seminars on the neuroscience of creativity.
Michael’s publications include seven volumes of poetry, two of which received major awards; five volumes of science-fiction short stories; a mystery-thriller; an exotic high-adventure thriller; a children’s science adventure chapter book; a book of flash plays; and a book of humorous Texas ranch stories.
Michael also believes strongly in using poetry to benefit the public. He has hosted many public poetry venues and programs over a period of 20 years, including 2nd Friday Poetry at Benbrook Library for 10 years. As president of the Fort Worth Poetry Society, he initiated the annual William Barney Poetry Chapbook Contest. In 2019 he edited, published, and contributed to the anthology, Words In Concert, which featured poetry from 35 major poets about classical music, the profits from which benefit the Fort Worth Symphony.
Here is a link to an interview about poetry given by Michael to the Fort Worth Weekly Magazine: https://fwtx.com/culture/people/lines-and-meters/.
Thanks for your interest in Michael Baldwin’s writing and his efforts on behalf of promoting poetry to the public.