LiteratureAshley Inguanta
Literal Literary Liaison
by Mary McGinn
Half a decade ago, I met Ashley
Inguanta. And by met, I mean I
sat in the back of a class she was
the teaching assistant for. I remember I thought she was striking. I remember long dark hair,
a petite frame, and quiet grace.
After that semester, I didn’t see
her again for years until Jesse
Bradley’s inaugural Clash of the
Word Titans. In this local poetry
vs. prose head-to-head competition, she aptly represented prose.
This year, she presents Orlando
with an offering of poetry. Her
new book is titled Bomb. Inspired by the sudden absence of
a remarkable woman in her life,
Bomb is a “linked collection that
explores the intricacies of two
lovers.” Readers can expect to be
pulled into a journey that leads
to exquisite discovery.
Inguanta is exceptional at crafting journeys.
She even hosts a reading series that takes participants on a literal literary journey. “This series is simple,” she explains. “We read poems
and walk, ask questions, listen. We focus on
the words; what made them.” The event is
called in Honor of the Land. Inguanta leads locals through trails of Florida wilderness before
authors present pieces. “My only hope for it is
to help others reclaim a sacred space inside of
themselves that, I believe, we can find in the
land; in a natural landscape that is ancient.”
If you look at her long list of accolades and accomplishments, there seems to be a common
thread connecting them. Inguanta works to
share the power of words with others. “Writing has helped me navigate layered territories
since I was about twelve. I am grateful for
that,” she confides. Her gratitude reflects in her
desire to teach. She has worked as a creative
writing instructor at Lakeside Alternative, and
for the past two years has collaborated with
Raquel Henry at Writer’s Atelier to produce
regular, healing writing and yoga workshops.
Inguanta’s investment in her art and community has not gone unnoticed. In 2013, she was
Orlando’s Art Scene, v. 1.6
Ashley, photo by Monica Mulder
included in a list of 6 Central Florida Poets to
Know by Orlando Arts Magazine. Last year,
she was awarded Best Poet in Orlando by the
Orlando Weekly. She has also been a featured
artist/writer in publications like Redivider,
Bartleby Snopes, Functionally Literate Podcast, Everyday Fiction, The Great American
Brainstorm, American Microreviews & Interviews, and New Books in Poetry.
SmokeLong Quarterly as Art Director, a position she still holds. She’s now also a contributing editor at The Writing Disorder. She
herself has had multiple collections of work
published. The Way Home, a collection of
poetry and prose, was produced by Dancing Girl Press in 2012. In 2014, Ampersand
Books brought us For the Woman Alone, a
work comprised of poetry and photographs.
Ampersand Books did us another solid with
Speaking of publishing, Inquanta has irons her 2016 collection, Bomb. This book may
in the fire there, too. In 2012, she joined be found at Bookmark It (located inside The
Lovely and the Gallery at Avalon
cover design by Matthew Revert Island), as well as at Dead Beat
cover model Tara Michelle Young
Books (Mills50). You can also
purchase it at one of the readings
she has lined up. Readers can
find Inguanta and Bomb on December 6th at 7pm in the Vinyl
Arts Bar, and on December 20th
for a 7pm reading at The District
at Mills50.
You can see more at:
AshleyInguanta.com
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