Doug Ramspeck is the author of four poetry collections. His first book, Black Tupelo Country (2008), received the John Ciardi Prize and is published by BkMk Press (University of Missouri-Kansas City). His most recent book, Mechanical Fireflies (2011), received the Barrow Street Press Book Prize. His poems have been published by journals that include The Kenyon Review, Prairie Schooner, Alaska Quarterly Review, and EPOCH. In 2009 he was awarded an Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award. He directs the Writing Center and teaches creative writing at The Ohio State University at Lima.