Rikki Santer

b. 1952

Current City, State, Country

Columbus, Ohio, USA

Birth City, State, Country

United States

Biography

Rikki Santer’s poetry has appeared in numerous publications both nationally and internationally. Her work has received many honors including several Pushcart and Ohioana book award nominations, individual artist grants from the Greater Columbus Arts Council, and a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities. She earned a M.A. degree in journalism from Kent State University and a M.F.A. degree in creative writing from The Ohio State University.    

Two of her published poetry collections have explored place: Front Nine (the Hopewell earthworks of Newark, Ohio) and Kahiki Redux (Kahiki Supper Club of Columbus, Ohio). Clothesline Logic was published by Pudding House as finalist in their national chapbook competition. She has also published five full-length collections: Fishing for Rabbits (Kattywompus Press), Make Me That Happy (NightBallet Press), Dodge Tuck, Roll (Crisis Chronicles Press), In Pearl Broth (Stubborn Mule Press), How to Board a Moving Ship (Lily Poetry Review Books), and reflecting her love of pop culture: Drop Jaw, inspired by the art of ventriloquism (NightBallet Press), Head to Toe of It, a chapbook of poems exploring the complicated notions of fashion, (Kelsay Books), and Stopover, inspired by the classic Twilight Zone series (Luchador Press). In 2023, she will have two new poetry collections released: an art chapbook, Leonora, Her Tarot, and Me, inspired by the paintings of the late Leonora Carrington (Cereal Box Press), and a full-length collection, Zebra Lashes (Fernwood Press).

She is a member of the teaching artist roster of the Ohio Arts Council, a vice president of the Ohio Poetry Association, a founding member of the poetry troupe, Concrete Wink, and lives in Columbus, Ohio.

What is the relationship between Judaism and/or Jewish culture and your poetry?

I am currently working on a collection that will explore my relationship to my Jewish heritage. In the meantime, some of my poems which focus on aspects of my life, include references to my experience growing up Jewish in America.

Published Works

Stopover (Luchador Press, 2021)
How to Board a Moving Ship (Lily Poetry Review Books, 2021)
Head to Toe of It (Kelsey Books, 2021)
Drop Jaw (NightBallet Press, 2020)
In Pearl Broth (Stubborn Mule Press, 2019)
Dodge Tuck Roll (Crisis Chronicle Press, 2018)
Make Me That Happy (NightBallet Press, 2017)
Kahiki Redux (11thour Press, 2016)
Fishing for Rabbits (Kattywompus Press, 2013)
Clothesline Logic (Pudding House Press, 2009)
Front Nine: A Biography of Place (Kulupi Press, 2005) 

Author Site

Links to Sample Works

Current Title

Member of the teaching artist roster of the Ohio Arts Council/ Vice president of the Ohio Poetry Association/ Founding member of the poetry troupe, Concrete Wink

Education

Ohio University, Bachelor of Science degrees in English, Education, Journalism; (summa cum laude)
Kent State University, Master of Arts in Journalism; (cum laude)
Ohio State University, Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing; (summa cum laude)

Subject Matter

Genre