“As a Just Buffalo Teaching Artist and a mentor in the city’s poetry community, Ben has dedicated much of his adult life to helping others find, listen to, and then amplify their voices”
– The Public
About Benjamin Brindise
Benjamin is an author, writer, and teaching artist. He specializes in spoken word poetry workshops for middle school through undergraduate programs. Find out more about his work below.
Fiction
Benjamin is the author of Secret Anniversaries, The Procession, and has had short fiction published or forthcoming in places such as Peatsmoke Journal, The Hooghly Review, and Ghost City Review.
Poetry
Benjamin’s poetry has been published internationally online and in print in places such as the My Next Heart: New Buffalo Anthology (BlazeVox Books), Blue Mountain Review, Dust Poetry Magazine, and Just Buffalo Literary Center’s Poem of the Week.
Teaching Artist
Benjamin has been a Teaching Artist since 2015. He has worked with the Just Buffalo Writing Center, Eat Off Art, and many others. He has produced workshops for students ranging from middle school through undergraduate programs.
Guest Speaking
Benjamin has been a guest speaker for organizations and events throughout Western New York. He has worked with the PRSA, Buffalo Futures, Canisius College, Medaille College’s Write Thing Series, University at Buffalo, Music is Art, the Gloria J. Parks Community Center, and the Pure Ink Poetry Slam among many others.
Editing
Benjamin is the Flash Fiction editor for Variety Pack. Variety Pack’s Flash Fiction section has published stories that were selected for the Best Microfiction Anthology in 2021 and 2023.
Spoken Word
Benjamin has represented Buffalo, NY four times in the National Poetry Slam. In 2017, he toured his hybrid chapbook of fiction and spoken word poetry across the Rust Belt. He last represented Buffalo at the Southern Fried Poetry Slam in 2023 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Current Events
Just Buffalo Writing Center
Fiction Writing Meet-up
Whether you’re new to writing stories or in the midst of your second novel, our fiction writing meet-up is a time to connect with your fellow fiction writers to write, share, trouble-shoot, and brainstorm.
- 10/22 & 11/26
- If you attend in person, JBWC doors open at 3:30pm. Feel free to drop in early to relax with a book, work on your writing, try a prompt, or catch up with your creative peers!
- The JBWC Creative Writing Programs for Youth are FREE and aimed at young students aged 12–18.
- This youth writing workshop is hybrid—you can attend in-person or from home!
- ACCESSIBILITY NOTE: If you have any questions/issues accessing any of these opportunities, please let us know and we will work with you to make sure you can participate.
Caffe Aroma Poetry Open Mic
- Every other Wednesday
- Open Mic from 9:00pm to 11:00pm
- Share your work and enjoy featured poets from across the region
- Check R.D. Pohl’s Poetry Calendar for the most current dates
“Slam poetry exponent and impresario, beloved educator and fire-tender”
- The Public