Phenomenal writer Alina Stefanescu has reviewed Voices on the Move, the anthology of refugee writing to which I was honored to contribute in 2020. The book, edited by Domnica Radulescu and Roxana Cazan, is filled with impactful and diverse voices and includes a range of creative pieces. Stefanescu’s review, “The Aliens Created by Nation-States,” is available on WorldCityLit.
Author: Lana Spendl
Poem in Crab Creek Review & Virtual Reading
The lovely Crab Creek Review published my poem “Why Do Woodpeckers Peck” in their newest issue, and I’m delighted to announce that I’ll be reading this piece and a couple of others with several writers from the issue on June 1 at 9 p.m. EDT. The event is virtual and open to all. Join us if you can!

Reading at Slought

It was an honor last week to read my work at Slought in Philadelphia, with the Cheburashka Collective, in solidarity with Ukraine. Such well-being came from being around so many wonderful writers from Eastern Europe. I’m grateful that we had a pre-reading reception where we could connect and share stories. Thank you to the UPenn Comparative Literature, Jewish Studies, and Russian and East European Studies programs for making the evening possible!
Reading in Philadelphia

Judging NORward Prize
I’m thrilled to serve as one of the judges for New Ohio Review’s NORward Prize for Poetry again this year. Deadline to submit is Dec. 15. The prize is $1,000 and publication in New Ohio Review. All submission information can be found on Submittable!
Panel at AWP Conference
Writers attending the 2022 AWP Conference in Philadelphia in March: I will be presenting on a panel called “What Kind of Times Are These? Immigrant Poets and the New Politics of Resistance” with poets Olga Livshin, Anna Halberstadt, Mariya Deykute, and Larissa Shmailo. If you attend the conference, I hope to see you there!
Flash essay in Hawai’i Pacific Review
My flash essay, “Women Like Them,” appears today at Hawai’i Pacific Review. It processes an early student experience and features a turkey vulture! Big thanks to the editor, Tyler McMahon, for including it.

Anthology Wins Nonfiction Prize
I’m thrilled to announce that the anthology Voices on the Move, to which I contributed a personal essay last year, has just won first prize in nonfiction in the Oklahoma Writers’ Federation annual writing contest! Congrats to editors Roxana Cazan and Domnica Radulescu, and to all the other contributors!
Poem Republished in Digital Issue of NOR
My prose poem “After the Date,” which appeared in print issue 25 of New Ohio Review, has been republished online. Thanks to the lovely NOR editors! Always such a pleasure to connect with them!
Judge: NORward Prize in Poetry
Writing friends, I’m excited to serve as one of the judges for New Ohio Review’s NORward Prize in poetry! The prize is $1,000 and publication in New Ohio Review 29. Deadline to submit is Nov. 15. Hope I get to see some of your gorgeous writing!


