Martheaus
writes poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. He is a teacher, editor, and hot sauce enthusiast based in Virginia.
His debut book, The Grace of Black Mothers, is forthcoming from Trio House Press.
New Poem!
Wasteland Review
Submit poems for publication
BRAWL
West Trade Review
Background
Martheaus Perkins was born to a single mother in Center, Texas. After a childhood in and out of homes in Houston, he graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University as a first-generation student.
He is the recipient of the Robert Creeley Memorial Award judged by John Keene, the President’s Award by Voices, the GMU Rinehart Fiction Award, and the Robert Raymond Scholarship. He co-edits BRAWL Lit and teaches literature at George Mason University.
Currently, he lives in the DMV with fellow writers of the “International House of Poets.” The name “Martheaus” is a collection of each woman who raise him: “Mar-” for his grandmother’s nickname, “-Thea-” for his mother’s name, and “-us” for his big aunties.
Kind Words
Perkins’ formal play and aesthetic daring, social critique and political engagement, and assured skill and fearlessness at going where these poems must go herald an important new talent!
—John Keene, author of Punks, winner of the National Book Award for Poetry
This story was entirely original, both a character tale and a heartbreaking story of forgiveness and compassion. And it was told through a novel approach that extended far beyond any sense of gimmickry; rather, it seemed as if this was the only way the story could be told. Lovely and fulfilling.
—Ed Aymar, author of When She Left
