Phil Wormuth

Phil Wormuth came onto the spoken-word scene in the early 1980s, crashing collegiate poetry readings, performing in underground bars, and practicing what has come to be known as “back pocket” poetry—described as “unapologetic syllabic machine-gun stutter.”

Wormuth edited Maine Short, Short Stories… by author “Just Ned” McInnis (2009.) McInnis and Wormuth were a staple in the local open-mic scene for nearly a decade.

Wormuth’s first poetry anthology ebook Venus Remembered and Other Poems (2015) was followed by the publication of a limited-edition Venus chapbook printed in 2016.

From 2017-20, Wormuth collaborated with the band BipTunia (featuring Kip Cameron), contributing lyrics and performing spoken-word on thirty commercially available albums. He is a member of ASCAP - American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers since 2017.

Wormuth is a 20+ year public school educator, 2008 fellow of the Maine Writing Project, and is featured in the 2013 Maine Writes anthology. 

Link to WERU Writer’s Forum Interview (05/14/15). 

Link to News Center Maine Story Art Behind Bars: Hancock County Jail Program Helps Inmates With Self-Reflection (03/04/20) 

Praise for Venus Remembered and Other Poems:

“I envy your fearlessness to portray the worst and best of life’s experiences… You have the gift to elicit feelings of laughter, sadness, fear, empathy, and hope. “ - Jen Johnson

“This is my kind of poetry; putting a human face on the downtrodden and turning over the rocks of the reality of the way most of us live or have lived.” - Dave Brassica

“From accusatory apocalyptic terrors to declarations of pure, unconditional love, Wormuth has staked a claim on the literary landscape that cannot be negated.” - William T. Pike