Each semester, the Writing University hosts the 5Q Interview series with authors from the University of Iowa Press. We sit down with UI Press authors to ask about their work, their process, their reading lists and events. Today we are speaking with Peter Mishler, the author of Children in Tactical Gear, which won the Iowa Poetry Prize (University of Iowa Press, 2024).
Peter Mishler is the author of two collections of poetry: Fludde, which won the Kathryn A. Morton Prize (Sarabande Books, 2018) and Children in Tactical Gear, which won the Iowa Poetry Prize (University of Iowa Press, 2024). His work has appeared in The Paris Review, The American Poetry Review, Poetry London, and Granta. He is also the author of For All You Do, a candid, meditative tribute to teachers (Andrews McMeel) and serves as a long-time contributing editor for Literary Hub.
1. Can you tell us a little bit about your new book Children in Tactical Gear?
Children in Tactical Gear is my second book. It starts with the lines “woke up / at the edge / of Hasbro” because my first book Fludde ended with the phrase “And I woke up here.” I wanted to write a new book to say where the speaker of that final poem awoke after his vision.
2. What was the inspiration for this work?
One morning, I got out of bed and looked out my window and saw a group of children dressed in full tactical gear.
3. Do you have any plans for readings or events for this book, either in person or virtual?
I made a recording of myself reading two of the poems for Poets and Writers for their website in conjunction with the book’s release in May.
4. What are you reading right now? Any books from other university or independent presses?
The books by the poets I interview for Lit Hub are the ones I am usually reading. The poets I work with in this series are definitely a reflection of my particular interests.
5. What is your writing routine? Do you have a daily routine?
I took a year off of writing after this book was accepted, which is what I did with my last book. I wrote a handful of songs instead, which correspond with these new poems. I am getting ready to go back into my writing routine, which typically involves early morning work.
Reflecting on this new book, I noticed that the first poems I wrote for it were really like residual poems from my first book. I look forward to finding out what the residue from Children in Tactical Gear will be. In fact, the final poem of this new collection is about a bit of residue in a vial.
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Thank you!