Biography

Trish Hopkinson is a poet and literary arts advocate. You can find her online at SelfishPoet.com and in western Colorado. Hopkinson is co-founder and director of Rock Canyon Poets since 2014, a regional poetry group with over 50 members, annual members retreat, monthly reading series, and two anthologies published from 2014 – 2025: Orogeny, a collection of Rock Canyon Poets work; and Inspired, a collection from the community poetry writing workshop she taught with support from Utah Humanities. She co-founded Provo Poetry in 2015 to feature Utah poets in Poemball vending machines with three permanent locations in Provo and Salt Lake City. Provo Poetry and Rock Canyon Poets have been featured on KSL, KRCL, 15 Bytes, Slug Magazine, The Daily Herald, and City Weekly among others. Her poetry has been published in several magazines and journals, including Sugar House Review, Glass Poetry Press, and The Penn Review. Hopkinson’s most recent full length book  A Godless Ascends was published by Lithic Press in March 2024. Her fourth chapbook Almost Famous was published by Yavanika Press in 2019 and her third chapbook Footnote was published by Lithic Press in 2017. Hopkinson happily answers to labels such as atheist, feminist, and empty nester; and enjoys traveling, live music, wine tasting, and craft beer.

Interviews & Reviews  /  Publications  /  Awards  /  Projects

Why do I call myself a selfish poet? 

Originally, the term selfish poet came from a poem/essay I wrote about coming back to poetry after a long break. I found that I am just not as content with my life without a creative writing outlet. From there, my “selfishness” turned into more self-awareness and self-care. That is to say, by giving back to the literary community, I’m giving back to myself and nurturing the creative writing that is so important to me. Participating in the writing/poetry community is how I take care of me, i.e. Selfish Poet.

What others are saying about my site…

100 Best Websites for Writers via The Write Life, 2019 – 2021

Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers, 2017 – 2021

“Poet Trish Hopkinson posts submission calls regularly on  her blog, focusing specifically on markets that don’t require a submission fee and/or pay writers for their work. The blog also features editor interviews and guest posts by journal editors.”–Submittable Blog

” . . . wholly uncategorizable, Trish Hopkinson’s website is a veritable wealth of writing and publishing resources all year long, including loads of no-fee journals to submit to. Her interviews with journal editors help make my submissions targeted and in line with what the journal is looking for. She also offers prompts and inspiration. This is my go-to for when I’m stalled out and need a push.”–Amanda Moore, Contributing Poetry Editor at Women’s Voices for Change

“Trish Hopkinson may describe herself as a ‘selfish poet,’ but her site is an indispensable community hub for poetry lovers, with news and event listings, writing resources, and much more (including her own poems, of course).”-WordPress Discover feature

“I wanted to thank you again for running the feature on Paper Dragon back in July. We received over 650 submissions from across the globe!”–Bill Vargo, Paper Dragon

“Thank you,  Trish Hopkinson, for providing a strong online platform for poets to commune and share perspectives. You bring the village  “–Marj Hahne, Writer/Editor/Teacher

“My choice for this week’s Writer of the Week: Trish Hopkinson! She is a bit of a walking revolution; I found Trish through various online women’s writers’ groups. Ms. Hopkinson’s enthusiasm and talent for poetry, is boundless.”–Lisa Nanette Allender

“From event listings to calls for submissions, @trishhopkinson’s site is a poets paradise”–WordPress Discover tweet

“Another layer, perhaps, of the ‘Selfish Poet’ is the honest admission that literary success is measured not only through the development of craft but also the publication, dissemination, and appreciation of one’s work. Hopkinson’s site is a generous guide to  pursuing all of these goals.”–Emily Jaeger, Features Editor of  Woven Tale Press

“Although her tagline is ‘A Selfish Poet,’ she may be the most unselfish blogger I have come across. In fact, if the motto of my state’s writer’s association is ‘writers helping writers,’ Hopkinson’s motto could easily be ‘poets helping poets.'” —Bryan Pitchford, poet