Biography

Julianza (Julie) K. Shavin hails from the southeastern Bible Belt, a constriction she never really suffered, because her writer/father and artist/mother were, happily, if distressingly non-conformingly, beltless (explaining, perhaps, her conception). She began journaling at age 11, composing her first “real” poem in fifth grade, stunning both teacher and class with its vivid imagery and inane, unbridled absurdity.  "Star of the Mangled Pain" has not become a classic in the annals of literature.

Julianza edited her high school newspaper and literary magazine, was one of two graduation speakers, and was chosen for Emory University's promotional brochure, receiving a scholarship for excellence in writing and music composition.  She holds degrees in English and Philosophy. She was poetry editor of her college literary magazine, is a licensed professional proofreader, and former journalist holding several editorial positions. She is past Salon Coordinator, and current Co-Vice-President and substitute newsletter-editor for Poetry West, a thriving Colorado Springs-based collective, and has performed both poetry and music for the "Classically Alive" music salon series, having recently been commissioned to compose and perform four pieces based on the poetry of Yousuf Zaigham. She recently recorded poetry, for the first time, for the Blind and Dyslexic, and hopes to make this volunteer opportunity a regular activity. In April, 2008, she presented a poetry assembly to a local school (with Karen Sucharski) during National Poetry Month.  She is creating a literary/art magazine for her daughter's elementary school this year and hopes to implement Billy Collins' Poetry in the Schools program as well.

She participates regularly in Black Cat poetry, poetry slams, and poetry performance at various other venues, her favorite's being at “church” -- The Ancient Mariner -- where she rants above acid-rock jazz.  She finds Jim Ciletti's monthly performance workshops very valuable. She made it to the last round in the Pikes Peak Poet of the Year competition, 2006. Her greatest poetic loves include Lawrence Durrell, Dylan Thomas, John Keats, Anne Sexton, John Donne, Maxine Kumin, Dylan Thomas, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Robinson Jeffers, Conrad Aiken, Sylvia Plath, Delmore Schwartz, Sidney Lanier, Yehuda Amichai, and Leonard Cohen. She is a great fan of PW members Yousuf Zaigham, Lois Beebe Hayna, and Karen Sucharski, and is currently an avid poster (and reviewer) on Creative Thinkers International and Authorsden, (both, online forums), offering poetry and visual art.

She claims to be a “relentless reviser to the point of insanity,” in terms of poetry, her greatest passion besides music composition.. An insomniac, "chronically tormented by muses of all types and degrees of hilarity and lividity," she was recently (and thrillingly) re-labeled, by Jim Ciletti, as a “lucubrate,”  or rather, "one who lucubrates."  This felt better but has not seduced sleep. She is currently compiling her first book, to be published in 2009.

She lives in Colorado Springs (her next poem will be “From Belt to Belt”), and, with husband Harold Katz, has three children, a trinity of poems.