Jessica Genia Simon began writing poetry at age seven. As a teenager based in Rockville, Md., she competed and won a spot on the Brave New Voices D.C. National Youth Poetry Slam Team. She earned a B.A. in English and Textual Studies and Policy Studies at Syracuse University and her M.S. in Education from University of Pennsylvania. She works at a gun violence prevention nonprofit in D.C. and lives with her wife, daughter and orange tabby cat in Silver Spring, Md. “Built of All I Shape and Name” (Kelsay Books, 2023) is her first poetry collection.

At GBF this year, Jessica Simon will be moderating a poetry panel featuring Dan Brady, Sara Cahill Marron and Tonee Moll.

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