Ben Atkinson’s first poetry collection, Spider Lightning explores human nature – with a deep reverence for all things wild. His work has appeared in A.C. PAPA, Cadence, Chelonian Conservation and Biology, Facets, FM Quarterly, Stockpot, and other outlets. A Flagler College assistant professor of natural sciences, his research focuses on the conservation ecology of tortoises and freshwater turtles. Ben has taught Ecopoetics workshops at MOCA and a class for Flagler’s Honors Program.

Atkinson will read his work on Saturday, December 2nd at 12:15 PM in the Main Auditorium F-128.

JaxbyJax Literary Arts Festival X, a celebration of Jacksonville Writers Writing Jacksonville, will be held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, December 1, 2, and 3, 2023 at FSCJ’s Kent Campus, 3939 Roosevelt Blvd, Jacksonville, FL, 32205. JaxbyJax is grateful to our generous sponsors: FSCJ, Alternate Roots, Mellon Foundation, Ford Foundation, 904WARD, Chamblin’s Bookmine and Uptown Café, Jacksonville Literary Arts Alliance, Bab’s Lab, JaxPsychoGeo, San Marco Books and More, Scribbles, and Brad Kuhn & Associates, LLC.