Hello, and welcome to this space. I’m Popahna, known to many as Poppy.

I currently make my home in Chicago where co-parenting, community building, ecological stewardship, and coaching, or resilience work, as I like to call it, have taken the place of earlier seasons when I taught college courses in writing and literature, and ran a cafe and writer’s retreat in Southwest France. I still run workshops and travel, but I spend a lot more time attending to interior movement.

Learning, cultivating resilience, and being of service have all been through-lines of my various chapters and I offer that I am especially equipped to be of service from my current vantage point. My own experience of divorce and difficulty brought me to coaching. Growing up in a home with active addiction brought me to recovery. My stories help me to listen deeply to your story and to ask important questions as I provide support for you with the challenges of relationship and separation, or any life change you would like to navigate.

My coaching practice is informed by my own work with language and music, by my literature studies and subsequent years teaching, by somatic and natural movement practices, twelve-step Al-anon work, Internal Family Systems and Polyvagal theory, and by permaculture ethos and an ever-growing relationship to impermanence.

I received a BA from Oberlin College, an MFA in literary studies from Brown University, and I am a Certified Divorce, Transition, and Recovery Coach.

  • EDUCATION

    Certified Divorce, Recovery and Transition Coach, CDC, SCTI, CPD, and IFC accredited, 202

    M.F.A., Literary Arts, Brown University, RI, 2003

    B.A., Creative Writing/English, Oberlin College, OH, 1993

    TEACHING

    University of Illinois at Chicago, IL

    Academic Writing I: Writing in Academic & Public Contexts, 2017–2018

    Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY

    Senior Fiction Studio, 2013; The Lyrical Narrative, 2013; Contemporary Latin American & European Literature, 2013; Senior Fiction Studio, 2012: The Lyrical Narrative, 2012; Contemporary Latin American & European Literature, 2012; Senior Fiction Studio, 2011; The Lyrical Narrative, 2011; Contemporary Latin American & European Literature; 2011 Senior Fiction Studio, 2010; The Lyrical Narrative, 2010; Architecture & Writing Program: Language Making, 2008; Junior Fiction Studio, 2008; The Lyrical Narrative, 2008; Sophomore Fiction Studio, 2007; The Lyrical Narrative, 2007; Creative Writing in the Cont. Ed Prgm, 2007; Introduction to Literary and Critical Studies, 2006

    Providence College, Providence, RI

    British Literature Survey, 2006; Creative Writing in Fiction, 2006; Freshman Writing Seminar, 2006; Freshman Writing Seminar, 2005

    Rhode Island College, Providence RI

    Expository Writing, 2005; Introduction to Literature, 2005

    Barnard College Summer Program, New York, NY Guest Lecturer, Fiction Workshop, 2005

    Brown University Summer Studies Program, Providence, RI

    Introduction to Literature, 2004; Introduction to Literature, 2003

    Brown University, Providence, RI

    Intermediate Fiction, 2003; Introductory Fiction, 2003; Intermediate Fiction, 2003; Introductory Fiction, 2002

    The Arts Conference, Star Island, NH Writing Out of Place Fiction Workshop, 2004

    International Inkwell, Montolieu, FR
    Fiction, Poetry, and Translation Workshops, 1994–2001

    PUBLICATIONS

    Books

    In An I, Sidebrow Books, 2015
    Reading Tests, with Jack Henrie Fisher, Jan Van Eyck Academie, NE, 2012
    The Sea in Me /The Riddle We Heard, “How Now” Chapbook Series, The Corresponding Society, 2011

    Short Publications

    Prose/poetry: “Understanding”, Encyclopedia L-Z, Vol. 3, CA, 2017
    Excerpt from In An I, Sleepingfish #12: Tenth Anniversary Edition, 2013
    Excerpt from Reading Tests, IDEA Magazine, Tokyo, JP, 2013
    Poster Project: TRI, collaboration with Jack Henrie Fisher, Surfing the Black: Yugoslavian
    Black Wave Cinema, Maastricht, NL, 2010
    Poster Project: Text for Denaturalization, collaboration with Jack Henrie Fisher, Attica Democrati, Bolzano, IT, 2009
    Fiction: “Cobra's Fight”, Ein Magazin über Orte, No.5, Berlin, DE, 2009
    Fiction: “Between a Palace and a Theater”, Tarpaulin Sky, Fall/Winter Issue, 2007
    Fiction: “Eumaois: Swineherd’s Rag”, Pocket Myths, Vol. 4, 2006
    Fiction: “Bent Chambers”, Entre Deux Rivières Limited Edition/Letterpress, Atelier du Livre, Montolieu, FR, 1998

    Film: Book 25, collaboration with Miranda Mellis, Pocket Myths, The Odyssey Film Project, 2006 Fiction: “Café”, Encyclopedia A-E, Vol. 1, 2006

    Translations

    “Legitmacy” critical essays by Louky Bersianik, Encyclopedia L-Z, Vol. 3, CA, 2017
    “La lanterne d'Aristote” and “Le portique des noms propres”, critical essay and fiction by Louky Bersianik Theory, A Sunday, Belladonna*, NY, 2013
    Artists’ biographies, A Useful Dream: African Photography 1960-2010,
    Silvana Editoriale, BE, 2010
    “Une nouvelle logique du significant” by Louky Bersianik, Encyclopedia A-E, Vol. 1, RI, 2006

    REVIEWS & REFERENCES

    In An I: review, Sean Bernard, The Common, https://www.thecommononline.org/friday-reads- october-2016-2/, 2016
    In An I: review, Forrest Roth, The Collagist, http://thecollagist.com/the-collagist/2015/7/8/in-an-i- by popahna-brandes-sidebrow.html, 2015 In An I: SPD Fiction Bestseller (May/June), 2015
    Theory, A Sunday: review, Magdalena Zurawski, Jacket2, http://jacket2.org/reviews/montreals- was-desiring-feminism-0, 2014
    Theory, A Sunday: review, Daphne Marlatt, Lemon Hound, http://lemonhound.com/2014/09/25/daphne-marlatt-on-theory-a-sunday/, 2014
    Writing about Reading Tests and The Sea in Me/The Riddle We Heard by Calamari Press, http://www.5cense.com/14/395.htm
    Reading Tests appeared at the following curated book fairs: NY Art Book Fair, Miss Read, Tokyo Art Book Fair, 2012

    READINGS, EXHIBITIONS, & WORKSHOPS

    Workshop: Re-centering Water: Rain Garden Practices, Comfort Station, Chicago, IL 2023
    Reading: Café Moustache, Chicago, IL, 2019 Reading: Horner Park Fiction Picnic, Chicago IL, 2020
    Reading: Uncharted Books, Chicago, IL, 2019 Reading & Performance: Bedtime Rituals: OverSleepOver 111, TriTriangle, Chicago, IL 2018 &Now Writing Festival, Notre Dame University, IN, 2018
    Reading: We Want To Make Something With You, Eco Collective, Chicago, IL, 2017 Reading: La Manufacture Royale, Montolieu, FR, 2017. Reading: Likewise, Portland, OR, 2017 Reading: La Manufacture Royale, Montolieu, FR, 2016
    Book Launch: Sector 2337, Chicago, IL, 2016
    Reading: Red Rover Reading Series Experiment #92, Chicago, IL, 2016
    Reading: Unnameable Books, Brooklyn, NY, 2015
    Reading: Archive Kabinett Conference, Berlin, DE, 2014
    Reading: Jen Scappettone’s House Reading Series, Chicago, IL, 2013
    Reading: La Manufacture Royale, Montolieu FR, 2012
    Exhibition: Inflation of Radical Phrases as Opposed to a Lack of Radical Action, Dizajner ili univer-zalni vojnik, Belgrade, RS, 2011
    Performance: Sweet! Actors Reading Writers Series, New York, NY, 2011
    Reading: Nelly Reifler’s Reading Series at Barbes, Brooklyn, NY, 2011
    Reading: Unnameable Books, Brooklyn, NY, 2011
    Reading: Faculty Reading, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY, 2011
    Reading: La Manufacture Royale, Montolieu, FR, 2010
    Exhibition: Of a people who are missing. On films by Daniele Huillet and Jean-Marie Straub, Extra City, Antwerp, BE, 2009
    Poster Project: Atti Democratici, Ex-Zolldepot des Bahnhofs Bozen, IT, 2009
    Reading: Faculty Reading, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY, 2008
    Reading & Performance: My Invisible, White Electric Cafe, Providence, RI, 2007
    Performance: My Invisible, “Implicit/Complicit”, The Poetry Project, New York, NY, 2006 Encyclopedia Project & Book Launch: My Invisible, AS220 Providence, RI, 2006
    Performance: My Invisible w/ Rebecca Gates, Knitting Factory Residency, New York, NY, 2006 Performance: My Invisible improvisation w/ Anne Waldman, DownCity Reading Series, Providence, RI, 2006
    Radio Broadcast: reading and musical performance as Vulpine, BSR radio, Providence, RI, 2005 Thesis Reading: Brown University, RI, 2003
    Performance: Film and Audio: Dark Parole (under Alvin Lucier), Brown University, RI, 2003 Hypertext: Hemingway Avante-Aprés (under Robert Coover), Brown University, RI, 2002

    Recordings

    Cello & voice

    My Invisible, My Invisible (Machines with Magnets), 2005
    Wigs for the Headless, Television Astronaut (Talan Memmott), 2003

    cello on tracks from: TNT, Tortoise (Thrill Jockey), 1998; Dots and Loops, Stereolab (Elektra), 1997; Unstable Molecule, Isotope 217, (Thrill Jockey), 1997; In the Sun, Archer Prewitt (Carrot Top Records), 1997; C, Rex (Southern Records), 1996; Nassau, Sea and Cake (Thrill Jockey), 1996; Old Paint, Freakwater (Thrill Jockey), 1995

    OTHER WORK

    Professional

    Resilience Practice: Personal Transition Coaching 2022–
    Certified Divorce, Transition, and Recovery Coach 2022–
    Program Director: The Workshop For Publishing Poets in France, Montolieu, FR 2005–2018 Founder, Director: International Inkwell, Writers’ Retreat, Montolieu, FR, 1995–2001
    Owner, Manager: Café du Livre, Montolieu, FR, 1994–2001

    Volunteer & Community

    Founding Member: Wonderland Community Permaculture & Agroforestry Proj., McHenry, IL 2020– Lead Gardener, Waters Community Garden, Chicago, IL 2019–
    Guest Designer in Mycelium Regenerative Co-Design, Chicago, IL 2022

    Academic & Administrative

    Steering Committee, Waters Community Garden, Lincoln Sq. Chicago, IL, 2024–
    Friends of Waters Board Member, Thomas J. Waters Elementary, Chicago, IL 2019–2021 C.A.R.T Committee Member, Pratt Institute, NY, 2012–2013
    Senior Fiction Prize Judge, Pratt Institute, NY, 2010–2013
    Independent Study Faculty Member, Pratt Institute, NY, 2011–2012
    Writing Center Tutor, Pratt Institute, NY, 2007–2008
    Guest Writer, My Sister’s Keeper: Women-Led Humanitarian Action, Southern Sudan, 2005 Student Fiction and Poetry Contest Judge, Providence College, RI, 2005 –2006
    Search Committee Member for Fiction Hire, Brown University, RI, 2002–2003
    International Writing Project, Volunteer, Brown University, RI, 2003–2004

    EDITORIAL & FREELANCE

    Editor: From Bank to Bank on a Gradual Slope by Eleni Kamma (film & installation) by Eleni Kamma, Villa Romana, Florence, IT, 2011
    Editor: P like Politics, P like Parratos (film & installation) and Goergofili (film) by Eleni Kamma, Villa Romana, Florence, IT, 2011

    Editor: Glo(w)fish (film) and Enlever et Entretenir (artist book) by Eleni Kamma, Weils: C’entre d’Art Contemporain, Brussels, BE, 2009–2011
    Fiction Editor: 3rd bed, Providence, RI, 2001–2006
    Board Member; Contributing Editor: Encyclopedia Project, Providence, RI, 2004–2006

    Editor: Soleil (novel manuscript) by Jill Pearlman, RI, 2003 Assistant Editor: Agni, Boston, MA, 1992–1993

    GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS

    Faculty Development Grant for In An I, Pratt Institute, NY, 2012–2013
    Residency Fellowship, Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT, 2007
    Nominee for Best New American Voices 2005, Brown University, Providence, RI, 2003 Salomon Grant, Brown University, Providence, RI, 2003
    Summer Writing Grant, Brown University, Providence, RI, 2003
    Creative Writing Fellowship, Brown University, Providence, RI, 2001–2003