“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 & flash fiction 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, Ghost Parachute, HAWKEYE, The Hooghly Review, Ghost City Review, and Brilliant Flash Fiction. Most recently, his fiction was showcased in the art installation, Buffalo: A City of Innovation in the Conventus Connects Gallery in Buffalo, NY.
Poetry
Benjamin’s poetry has been published internationally online and in print in places such as the My Next Heart: New Buffalo Poetry Anthology (BlazeVox Books), Blue Mountain Review, Dust Poetry Magazine, Just Buffalo Literary Center’s Poem of the Week, and the Buffalo Hive.
Teaching Artist
Benjamin has been a Teaching Artist since 2015. He has worked with the Just Buffalo Literary Center, Eat Off Art, and UB Honors College among many others. He has produced workshops for students ranging from middle school through undergraduate programs, most recently facilitating Sweet Home Middle School’s annual poetry slam and speaking at Villa Maria College.
Guest Speaking
Benjamin has been a guest speaker for organizations and events throughout Western New York. He has worked with 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
Buffalo Speaks
This July 16th, a new premier showcase for spoken word poetry will kick off at Iron Works. Join us for a curated night of spoken word, taking you on an emotional journey from start to finish.
- Thursday July 16th
- Doors & DJ: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
- General Admission, VIP, and Group tickets available
- One Night Only
“Slam poetry exponent and impresario, beloved educator and fire-tender”
- The Public