Anna Barnes, a Cincinnati, Ohio poet, announces the release of her second book, “bloom // wilt”, for adult poetry readers with interest in topics of gender, sexuality, feminism, matriarchy, and the war between nature and the manmade world. This 20-poem chapbook follows a character named Chrysanthemum on her journey as she is born in nature, begins to look longingly toward and then ventures into the shimmering city in the horizon, soon finds out that the city is not as beautiful as it seems from the outside, and is only able to return to her natural homeland by dying and being buried in the dirt. Chrysanthemum originated from a poem of the same name in Anna’s first poetry book, “Out of Ink and Ideas” (2025).
Anna is on tour from March 20 to June 20, 2026 to perform work out of “bloom // wilt” throughout Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Signed copies of the book will be available for sale for $20 each (cash or Venmo) at each stop on the tour. Signed copies of the book are also available at independent bookstores across Greater Cincinnati, including Household Books, Snapdragon Books & Gifts, Roebling Books & Coffee, Spire Book & Coffee Co., and The Hidden Chapter Bookstore. “bloom // wilt” is also available to borrow at the Cincinnati Public Library. For anyone who does not live in the tristate area, the book can be shipped anywhere in the United States with an added shipping fee of $5.
Tour Dates:
Hill Writers Collective (virtual) ∙ 4/11 ∙ 6:00-8:00
UACC’s Placekeepers (virtual) ∙ 4/28 ∙ 6:00-7:00
Attic on Adams ∙ 5/9 ∙ 6:00-9:00
The Hoffner Pub ∙ 5/12 ∙ 6:30-10:00
Joui Wine ∙ 5/17 ∙ 7:30-9:30
Roebling Books & Coffee Newport ∙ 5/21 ∙ 6:00-8:00
Kafe Kerouac ∙ 5/27 ∙ 8:00-10:00
Household Books ∙ 5/31 ∙ 6:00-8:30
Somerset ∙ 6/3 ∙ 8:00-11:00
Yellow Cab Tavern ∙ 6/7 ∙ 7:00-11:30
Handmade Toledo ∙ 6/9 ∙ 6:00-9:00
Muse Cafe ∙ 6/10 ∙ 6:30-9:00
Wunderbar ∙ 6/16 ∙ 6:30-10:00
Viva Coffee ∙ 6/20 ∙ 7:00-9:00
Collaborators for bloom // wilt include: Ashlyn Bailey (cover art), Cincinnati Public Library (printing), Eva Dames (cover art), Dell (photography), Anna Dunlap (harp), Cody Eanes (photography), David French (merch), Dennis Gray (photography), Indigo Hippo (art supplies), Joui Wine (wine pairings), Lutz Flowers (cover art), True Rivir (advising), Chris Rogge (visual arts), Snapdragon Books & Gifts (book launch), Sherry Cook Stanforth (consultant), Steve Rost (practice space), and Viva Coffee Roasters (event space).
Anna Barnes has been writing poetry since 2005 and performing spoken word and slam poetry since 2024. Her work has been published across a variety of mediums, including in print with The University of Toledo’s The Mill Magazine in 2013 and 2014 and in Indy Untitled’s Zine [Insert Title Here] in 2025, in video format with Outdoor Voices in an Indoor World in 2025 and 2026, and with expected diVerses Brick & Mortar publication in a Columbus, Ohio storefront in Spring 2026. Anna’s mission is to create life-altering, memorable art while supporting local businesses and collaborating with other artists. Anna lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her cat, Theodore.
For inquiries or to request a poetry performance, email Anna at sumofthegoodthings@gmail.com
You can find Anna on Instagram @sumofthegoodthings
