Grant Maierhofer of Eau Claire began writing when he was 15 years old. He started by typing around 70 pages of autobiographical stories and from there became convinced that it was what he wanted to do with his life. As he began writing more, poetry became something he did while he wasn’t writing prose, something he did to clear his mind. Now, however, he finds writing poetry to be just as substantial and rewarding as prose writing, and it’s been working out for him as well.

After self-publishing last year a novel titled The Persistence of Crows, writing in small zines, and putting together collaborations at Racy’s and Acoustic Café, he now has a new poetry publication coming out in April. His new chapbook, Ode to a Vincent Gallo Nightingale, is being published by Black Coffee Press for the chapbook series “Drunk Uncle Chapbooks.” Maierhofer is excited to get his work to the public.

“I guess that’s sort of the million-dollar question for anyone aspiring to share creative work,” Maierhofer said. “Is it enough just to make it and tuck it away in a drawer somewhere and forget about it? For me, no. … I guess it isn’t. I want to share work with people; it feels right.”

After sending out and receiving generally positive feedback about his poetry, Maierhofer decided that publishing the book of poems, through Black Coffee Press especially, seemed like a perfect fit. Ode to Vincent Gallo Nightingale follows a central theme of the reconciliation of the past and present, trying to connect contemporary topics to the romantic world of poet John Keats. At the same, the collection follows no set guideline or rule.

“The eponymous poem itself is also a humorous discussion of my own obsession with various marginalized celebrities, and a brief note of absurdity as it relates to every other piece in the book,” Maierhofer said. He continued: “All I hope to be in writing poems is honest, candid, and hopeful. I suppose there are transgressive sentiments at play as well – I’m rather unabashed about discussing relationships, sex, etc. – but I think first and foremost these come across as hopeful, abstract poems from a person who gained a great deal writing them.”

In anticipation of the chapbook’s release, Maierhofer is already working on his next publication. He is currently submitting a short story collection to various publishers as well as attempting to find a publisher to work with him on publishing a physical edition of The Persistence of Crows. He also frequently writes for HTMLGIANT, an online magazine/blog, contributing book reviews or book-related nonfiction and interviews with writers.

To pre-order a copy of Ode to Vincent Gallo Nightingale, go to http://tinyurl.com/cnaoff4.