David Mills
Mr. Mills holds an MFA from Warren Wilson College and an MA from New York University—both in creative writing—as well as a B.A. (cum laude) from Yale University. He’s published four poetry collections: Boneyarn, The Sudden Country, The Dream Detective, and After Mistic. His poems have appeared in Ploughshares, Colorado Review, Crab Orchard Review, Jubilat, Callaloo, Obsidian, Brooklyn Rail, Diode Journal and Fence. He has received fellowships from the New York Foundation for the Arts, Breadloaf, The American Antiquarian Society, the Lannan Foundation, Arts Link and a Henry James and Hughes/Diop fellowship. He lived in Langston Hughes’ landmark home for three years. The Juilliard School of Drama commissioned and produced a play by Mr. Mills. He wrote the audio script for MacArthur-Genius-Award Winner Deborah Willis’ curated exhibition: Reflections in Black: 100 Years of Black Photography, which showed at the Whitney and Getty West Museums. He has also recorded his poetry on ESPN and RCA Records.
Student Feedback for David
David Mills was one of the best teachers I have ever had. His presentation of the material was exemplary and learned. His treatment of his students was generous and compassionate. But most striking of all was the attention David paid to the writing his students generated in the course. I have never had a closer reading of my writing than that given by David. David’s class was truly a watershed moment in my writing life. Elizabeth Eliades
David Mills’ warm, open style immediately put me at ease. His passion, enthusiasm and depth of knowledge of poetry—both its history and many forms and structures—sold me on my decision to take the plunge. The feedback given in writing is very detailed and more than I expected. The time and care he devotes to analyzing student work is remarkable! In fact, David himself is remarkable. Linda Mancia
I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge presented by this course. We delved into several formal structures of English poetry and were expected to refine our focus in order to create within these structures. David is very professional and knowledgeable about the structure of poetry. It was a great experience. Jock Jacober
This class was enjoyable and educational. David Mills is a good teacher, knowledgeable and thorough in his instruction and feedback. I will not hesitate to take another class with David. Ramona Howard
This class stretched my knowledge. David Mills teaches beyond expectations. This is not a class for the casual attendee but extremely worthwhile for the attentive poet. I am still processing his remarks given to each student. He gave dynamite suggestions! Joan Connor
Thoroughly enjoyable and creatively-run class. David guided us through close readings of great works in the canon as well as lesser-known works, explained and illuminated the techniques used by these poets, then effectively showed us how to incorporate these methods into our own writing. Engaging and inspirational, with many takeaways. Definitely increased my confidence in the craft! Kimberly Lee
