Tara Betts appointed Lit Editor of Newcity

Photo: Monica Kass Rogers for Newcity Lit 50

Newcity is pleased to announce that Lit 50 alum Tara Betts has joined our staff as the Lit Editor. In this role, Tara will take the lead in planning and executing Newcity’s coverage of Chicago’s vibrant literary culture.

Tara Betts is a poet and educator. She has published two full-length poetry collections—”Break the Habit” and “Arc & Hue.” Her poems, short stories, and essays has appeared in many anthologies and publications, including Newcity, Poetry, Essence, The Rumpus, The Offing, NYLON, and Sixty Inches from Center. She holds a Ph.D. in English, a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, and bachelor’s degree in journalism from Loyola University Chicago.  Born and raised in Kankakee, Illinois, Tara first worked in Chicago as a teaching artist at several organizations, including Gallery 37, Young Chicago Authors, then later at Urban Word NYC. While living on the East Coast, she started teaching writing and literature classes for undergrads and graduate students. She is currently part of the MFA faculty at Stonecoast MFA Program at University of Southern Maine and frequently hosts author chats at the Seminary Co-op bookstores in Hyde Park. Tara is also Poetry Editor at Another Chicago Magazine and The Langston Hughes Review.

All pitches for coverage should be sent to Tara at [email protected].