Book me for an author event
I’m always thrilled to do readings of my book, “Warmly, The Wild,” available now globally at Barnes & Noble, Waterstones, and your local indie bookstore.
Whether you’d like to host me for a book signing, poetry workshop, or other author event, don’t hesitate to reach out at emirisdegn@gmail.com
Order bulk copies from your supplier (ISBN: 9798899902208) or Finishing Line Press
“This poetry feels like watching a sunset on a perfect day, ethereal and timeless. Emily captured how wonderful nature truly is.”
–Leah Thomas, author of The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, TIME100 NEXT member, founder of Intersectional Environmentalist
“Evocative, lush, and earnest, Warmly, The Wild is a beautiful ode to nature and what makes our lives worth living.”
–Juhea Kim, internationally bestselling author of Beasts Of A Little Land, City Of Night Birds, and A Love Story from the End of the World; Dayton Literary Peace Prize finalist; Yasnaya Polyana Award winner
“Warmly, the Wild will forever find a home on my shelf of nature-based poetry, for this is my love, what I turn to in quiet afternoons: perfectly rendered words that speak to the vibrant joys of the natural world, give voice to the sorrows, remind us to notice and give thanks. I, too, crave The Wild, and this gorgeous collection offers just that.”
–Laura Pritchett, winner of the PEN USA Award in Fiction, Milkweed National Fiction Prize, the WILLA, the High Plains Book Award; director of the MFA in Nature Writing at WCU; playwright of Dirt: A Terra Nova Expedition; author of Playing With (Wild) Fire, The Blue Hour, Red Lightning, and others
I specialize in place-based storytelling, intersectional environmentalism, nature art, climate justice, eco-poetry, and explorations of interconnection
I believe that in order to save the livable planet, humans have to fall in love with it; they need to have a relationship with it to care. My work bridges the gap between people and landscape. If you’d like to bring that into a room, I’m available for readings, festivals, workshops, and events.
Events
2026
May 25th: “Warmly, The Wild” at the 55th annual Northwest Folklife Festival; Seattle, WA
June 21st: “Warmly, The Wild” Solstice Reading at Picnic Point Beach; Mukilteo, WA
June 22nd: Blinter Magazine’s Return From Hiatus; remote
June 23rd: Greening the Desert: The Great Salt Lake Crisis Discussion with Blinter Magazine, Lynn de Freitas (Executive Director of FRIENDS of Great Salt Lake), and Darren Parry (former chairman of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation and author of The Bear River Massacre, A Shoshone History); remote
2025
May 23rd: Blinter Magazine kick-off and gathering at National Nordic Museum, Seattle WA
June 20th: “Warmly, The Wild” presales period launch party, remote
August 8th: “Warmly, The Wild” final presales week party, remote
September 3rd: “Warmly, The Wild” interview with the Anacortes American
October 17th: “Warmly, The Wild book launch, remote and Mukilteo, WA
2022
January 16th: Snow Walk and Discussion of the Impact of Climate Change on Seasonal Shifts, remote
January 17th: Nature Painting Session, remote
January 21st: Food Waste Educational Talk, remote
March 18th: Discussion of the Future of Seasonal Shifts, remote
March 20th: Ostara Celebration, remote and Salem VA
March 21st: Spring Equinox Nature Poetry Reading in the Garden, Roanoke College Garden in Salem VA
March 24th-28th: AWP Conference Appearance, Philadelphia PA
March 30th: Climate Teach-In, Salem VA
March 30th: Nature Art Walk, remote and Salem VA
March 31st: Eco-Poetry Slam Reading, Salem VA
April 1st: Flower Art Demonstration, remote
April 6th: Tree Hugging Session, Salem VA
April 12th: Blossom Walk, remote
April 16th: Making Produce Last Longer Educational Talk, remote
April 21st: Reading of Forthcoming Ecological Poetry Manuscript, Salem VA
April 27th: The Diet of the Vikings and How it Bonded Them to Their Bioregion Talk, Salem VA
May 1st: Beltane Celebration, remote and Salem VA
May 3rd: Woodland Walk, remote and Salem VA
May 4th: Nature Art Session, remote
May 12th: Symbiotic Relationships within Nature and Humanity’s Interconnection Outdoor Class, Carvins Cove VA
May 16th: Equitable Discussions of Land-Based Food Traditions Educational Session, remote
May 17th: Syttende Mai Celebration, remote and Salem VA
May 22nd: Nature Art Session, remote and Salem VA
May 23rd: The Importance of Community Gardens Discussion, remote
May 31st: Nature Art Demonstration, remote
June 4th: Community Garden Walk, Salem VA
June 7th: Land Art and Foraged Nature Art Session, Salem VA
June 14th: Nature Art Discussion, remote
June 15th: Food Waste Discussion, remote
June 18th: Nature Walk and Farmers Market Trip, Roanoke VA
June 19th: Community Garden Educational Session, remote
June 20th: Wild Berry Foraging Session, Salem VA
June 21st: Litha Celebration, Salem VA
July 19th: Land Art and Beach Ethics Session, Topsail Island NC
July 23rd: Nature Art Session, Topsail Island NC
August 7th: Thrifted Clothing Sale and Fast Fashion Educational Session, remote
August 9th: Urban Gardening Discussion, remote
August 15th: Zero-Waste Hacks and Tips, remote
August 23rd: Including Humans in Your Environmental Advocacy Lecture, remote
September 4th: Connecting Weather to Heritage, Salem VA
September 5th: Garden Harvesting, Salem VA
September 8th: Organic Food Art, remote
September 13th: Native Species Hike, Catawba VA
September 22nd: Mabon Celebration, Salem VA and remote
September 23rd: Nature Journaling and Foraged Art, Salem VA
September 27th: Nature Photography in the Forest, Salem VA
October 3rd: Leaf Art and Pressing Plants, Salem VA
October 6th: Eco-Poetry Contest Opens, remote
November 27th: Poetry Workshop, remote (8 a.m.-10 a.m. time slot)
November 27th: Nature Poetry Writing Class, remote (10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.)
November 27th: Poetry Workshop, remote (2 p.m.-4 p.m. time slot)
December 4th: Poetry Workshop, remote (8 a.m.-10 a.m. time slot)
December 4th: Nature Poetry Writing Class, remote (10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.)
December 4th: Poetry Workshop, remote (2 p.m.-4 p.m. time slot)
December 10th: Nature Poetry Writing Session, remote
December 11th: Poetry Workshop, remote (8 a.m.-10 a.m. time slot)
December 11th: Nature Poetry Writing Class, remote (10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.)
December 11th: Poetry Workshop, remote (2 p.m.-4 p.m. time slot)
December 18th: Poetry Workshop, remote (8 a.m.-10 a.m. time slot)
December 18th: Nature Poetry Writing Class, remote (10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.)
December 18th: Poetry Workshop, remote (2 p.m.-4 p.m. time slot)
December 19th: Honoring the Seasons Through Poetry: Winter
December 31st: Deadline for Eco-Poetry Contest, 12 a.m.
2021
March 25th: Environmental Storytelling and Eco-Tourism Discussion with Phil Torres, remote
April 4th: Food Justice and LEAP Garden Work, Roanoke VA community garden
April 15th: Diversity in the Outdoors Chat with Pattie Gonia, remote
May 1st: Beltane Celebration, Salem VA
May 6th: Intersectional Environmentalism Educational Session with Mikaela Loach, remote
May 19th: Thrifted Clothing Sale and Fast Fashion Educational Session, remote & Salem VA
August 1st: Lughnasadh Celebration, Salem VA
August 22nd: Climate Art Session, remote and Salem VA
September 12th: Foraging and Sunprint Demonstration, remote and Salem VA
September 20th: Moon Ceremony, remote and Salem VA
September 22nd: Mabon Celebration, Salem VA
October 10th: Samhain Art Session, remote and Salem VA
October 18th: Food Waste Educational Talk, remote
October 29th: Leaf Walk and Moon Ceremony, remote and Salem VA
October 31st: Samhain Celebration, Salem VA
November 6th: Creek Clean-up and Native Species Planting, Roanoke College creek in Salem VA
November 7-8th: Habitat Restoration and Native Species Planting, remote and Salem VA
November 11th: Wind Art and Andy Goldsworthy Exploration, remote and Salem VA
November 15th: Land Art Demonstration, remote
November 22nd: Leaf Walk, Salem VA
November 29th: Creek Habitat Stabilization and Erosion Educational Talk, Salem VA
November 30th: Creek Restoration, Roanoke College creek in Salem VA
December 8th: Habitat Restoration and Community Engagement Discussion, remote and Salem VA
December 8th: The Power of Icelandic Storytelling in Ecological Protection Talk, Salem VA
December 9th: Foraging and Jam-Making Talk, Salem VA
December 14th: Yule Celebration, Salem VA
December 15-16th: Land Art Exploration and Discussion, Salem VA
December 21st: Danish Jul Celebration, remote and Salem VA