About
Hello, my name is Justine Defever!
I am a lifelong Michigander and Associate Professor of English and Communication. I consider myself to be a poet of place, and I collect regional poetry while traveling to better understand a poet's connection with their environment. Topics in my work revolve around the natural world, ekphrastic expression, relationships, healing through humor, and growing up in mid-Michigan.
My full-length manuscript was named as a semi-finalist in the 2023 Marystina Santiestevan First Book Prize - Conduit Books & Ephemera and was a finalist for the 2024 Howling Bird Press Poetry Contest.
Places that Inspire my Writing
Alma, Michigan
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Marquette, Michigan
Lake Superior
Chicago, Illinois
Edinburgh, Scotland
Isle of Skye, Scotland
Brussels, Belgium
Alsemberg, Belgium
Articles and Appearances
Poetry Juror of Poetic Visions of Mackinac Mackinac Arts Council (June 22, 2025)
Podcast Interview (June 16, 2025)
In this episode, I discuss teaching, creative writing projects, and two movies with Landon Defever on Films for the Void.
"Published Poet Demystifies Writing for Students" by Wensdy Von Buskirk (February 6, 2025)
“My career has blended so well with my goals,” reflects Justine Defever, Cleary Associate Professor of English and Communications. “I wanted to stay in academia and continue working in the fine arts field. I’m able to do both at Cleary.”