Wild, Unfelt World Book Launch Party & Poetry Reading

In partnership with Urban Reads Bookstore, join author Hillary Gonzalez, for the launch of their new collection of eco-poetry, Wild, Unfelt World.

Hillary will be joined by local Baltimore and DMV poets, Retro, Katia Matychak, Ted Eccleston, Micki Topham, Gabriel Carter, and Joseph Colona. This is a true evening of revolutionary poetry. In the spirit of eco revolution, each poet will read a piece of their own, before we hear the poems from Wild, Unfelt World, followed by a panel discussion. Signed copies of Wild, Unfelt World will be available for purchase.

Hillary Gonzalez (they/she) is a Baltimore based queer, disabled, and AuDHD poet, activist, birder and wildlife photographer, whose work explores themes of nature, identity, and healing. They are the authors of Seasons, and the ecopoetry collections, Wild Unfelt World (Gnashing Teeth Publishing, April 2026), and Where the Osprey Nest (Palewell Press, August 2026). Their poems have been published in numerous publications, including South Broadway Press, Canid Press, and in anthologies by Bi+ Book Gang, Yellow Arrow Publishing, Loblolly Press’ anthology: Understory, a fundraising anthology for the victims of Hurricane Helene, The Body Archive by Cosmic Daffodil Journal, and In Praise of Despair, an anthology for disabled artists and writers by Beyond the Veil Press.

Jason Jackson commonly known as Retro is a Baltimore Native. His poetry is considered both raw and prolific. He uses poetry to both examine and interrogate unique challenges and complexities that young Black men face in the inner city. He was ranked top five of Baltimore’s grand slam in 2024. He has been featured at open mics around the region, and competed in slams throughout the united states. In March of 2025 Nevermore slam a Baltimore slam team he was a part of placed 3rd in Chicharra regional slam in New Mexico.

Katia Matychak (she/they) is a Baltimore-based poet, inspired by her Ukrainian and Appalachian upbringing. She is the author of 4 poetry collections, including her latest, Poems about Death and Transformation. Her work has been featured in many literary collections, such as Overgrowth Press, reference mollusk, and Pennsylvania's Best Emerging Poets. Being a neuroscientist, she explores the aesthetics of the human body and how we react to the world, from molecule to measure.

Gabriel David Carter is a Baltimore writer tracing grief and grace through worlds seen and felt. He writes about big feelings and the natural world, moving as both witness and wanderer.

Micki Topham (she/her) is a spoken word artist and poet. She has participated in countless poetry events, slams, and competitions, and has taught poetry workshops and performed across the nation, including featuring at an official 2025 World Pride poetry reading. Her poetry has been published in the Mid-Atlantic Review. She was a finalist in the 2025 DC Poet Project and is now an assistant editor with The Mid-Atlantic Review. You can find her most weeks passionately snapping for the incredible poets and performers across the DMV.

Joseph E Colona is a poet. His words can be found in Maryland Bards, Reference Mollusk, Overgrowth Press, Allium, a Journal of Poetry and Prose, his chapbook standing prayers. (Bottlecap Press, 2023), or hosting open mics. He lives in Baltimore where he works in public housing.

Ted is a person, husband, father, friend and poet living in Baltimore City. His poetry spans ten years trying to build relationships with the creatures and beings living in city neighborhoods. Ted turns to the page to share the lessons that the creek, the winged ones, and the blossoms share with him, inspiring readers to remember our intimacy with the living, breathing world. Ted's writing was first published in Baltimore Tree Trust’s Canopy Lit Magazine. You can often find him in Stony Run, lightly crossing the creek or perched up on a boulder with his gaze toward the sky. To read more of his work you can go to: tedinbaltimore.substack.com

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Host or Publisher Hillary Gonzalez