photo by Kristen Grace/Florida Museum

Ben Atkinson worked in some strange places before finding his niche. Among the more interesting stations: an alpaca ranch, a taxidermy shop, and a reptile breeding facility.

Today, he’s an assistant professor of natural sciences at Flagler College, in St. Augustine, Florida. With a colleague Ben teaches a Learning Community entitled “High Water Rising: Science, Literature, and the Environment.”

Ben writes to capture moments that transcend the mundane. Poems serve as a creative medium and a tool for understanding the world. He’s published in outlets including: Facets Literary Magazine, FM Quarterly, Stockpot Literary Magazine, and Challenging Composition, a textbook by Rainmaker Education.

He has also published articles on reptiles and amphibians in scientific journals including: Herpetological Conservation & Biology, Herpetological Review, Journal of Herpetology, and Salamandra. A co-authored chapter in a book on diamondback terrapins is due this fall, through Johns Hopkins University Press.

As an undergrad, he co-founded The Uglyman Collective, which held readings in western Pennsylvania by a core of rogue poets.  He was also a frequent reader at Hemingway’s Café’s Summer Poetry Series in Pittsburgh.

Now an active member of Ancient City Poets, Ben participates in, and sometimes leads, monthly open mics at Corazon Cinema and Café in St. Augustine. He also reads his work locally in Jacksonville. Recent venues include Chamblin’s Uptown, Coniferous Café, and House of Leaf & Bean.

Ben holds a Ph.D. in wildlife ecology and conservation from the University of Florida. You can follow the adventures of his Tortuga Crew on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/flaglertortugacrew/

https://www.facebook.com/FlaglerTortugaCrew/

The Southeast Sister Cities Reading Tour concept is simple. Our writers read in your town. Then your writers read in our town. Everybody wins!

Orlando writers reading in Jacksonville are: Shawn Welcome, Tod Caviness, Jesse Bradley, and Peter Gordon.. Jacksonville writers hosting and reading are: Ben Atkinson and Darick Taylor.

Saturday, June 30, 7-9 p.m. at Bab’s Lab, 603 King St., Jax, FL 32204. Free and open to the public. (Donations for the venue and writers accepted.)