It’s here, y’all! I am thrilled to announce the publication of my first book, a collection of poetry and visual art, all my own. It is now available for pre-order with Plan B Press!
A couple of teasers about the book from writers I appreciate and admire:
“… these poems grab you from the first page and don’t let up. Accompanied by Biles’ stunning artwork and photographs, this book reminds us of wisdom the poet well knows: ‘in the end, we are marks in the sand; ash on the wind.’”
-Gregory Luce, Co-founder and Poetry Editor for Washington Unbound
“Chris Biles is the poetry phoenix, unlocking nature’s lessons and the earth’s transformative lyricism. There is Emily Dickinson’s fierce curiosity and the majesty of Ralph Waldo Emerson. This book is ancient and yet of this very moment.”
-Regie Cabico, Nuyorican Poet Cafe Grand Slam Champion; Author of A Rabbit In Search of a Rolex
“This brave first book ultimately draws the reader to Biles’ conclusion that ‘whatever way you cage us/we can always imagine ourselves out.’”
-Doritt Carroll, Award-winning poet; Author of five collections
“Somewhere between ceding control to the constant of time and the steady protest of everyday living, Chris sits, documenting society’s push-pull.”
-Dwayne Lawson-Brown, Author of Biscuit Box and One Color Kaleidoscope
“Alive with cross-media conversations and an almost childlike curiousness, There Won’t Be a Phoenix could be whimsical if it wanted to be, but it decidedly is not, and that is its greatest gift.”
-Courtney Sexton, Co-founder of The Inner Loop
You can also preview a few of the poems and images from the collection in this interview feature with Flapper Press from May 2026.
If at all intrigued, please consider pre-ordering your copy today and support my debut collection with a wonderful small press! I hope you’ll be as excited to receive it in the mail as I am 🙂 I’ll keep everyone posted on the launch party to come!
