Johanna Ely

Johanna Ely is the author of three poetry books, Transformation, Tides of the Heart—Poems for Benicia, and Postcards From a Dream (Blue Light Press 2020). She is an award-winning poet, and had a poem nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2018. She has also been published in literary journals and anthologies. Johanna served as the sixth poet laureate for Benicia. In 2018, she collected poems written by the Benicia First Tuesday Poets, and put forth the anthology, Light and Shadow, published by Benicia Literary Arts. Until COVID-19 changed our world, Johanna hosted the monthly poetry series, Poetry Inside Out, inviting poets from all over the Bay Area to come to Benicia and read their work. She also enjoys writing ekphrastic poetry, and has coordinated many ekphrastic readings at the local galleries. Johanna is on the board of Benicia Literary Arts, and the Ina Coolbrith Circle of Poets, helping to organize prose and poetry events.

*Johanna featured at the Bay Area Poets Laureate Gathering & Public Reading on September 21, 2019, hosted by the San Mateo County Arts Commission and the San Mateo County Libraries, as well as the 2020 San Mateo County Peninsula Virtual Bookfest.