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Billy Collins, U.S. Poet Laureate: A Resource Guide

External Websites

The following links to external websites provide more information about the life and works of Billy Collins.

Biographical information about Billy Collins also can be found on the following websites:

Academy of American Poets External
A biography of Billy Collins, samples of his poetry and prose, and links to external resources.
Poetry Foundation External
A biography of Billy Collins, bibliography of his writings, and links to more than 30 online poems.
Steven Barclay Agency External
A biography of Billy Collins.
Encyclopedia Britannica External
A biography of Billy Collins.

For the latest news and discussions related to Billy Collins, see:

A selected list of news articles, interviews, and conversations, arranged in chronological order, follows below.

Selected Articles, News, and Interviews

"Poet Billy Collins on shedding New York and finding Contentment as a Florida Man" External
The Palm Beach Post. October 16, 2022.
"Rollins Proudly Welcomes Billy Collins’ Return" External
The Sandspur. November 16, 2017.
"Former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins Receives Enthusiastic Reception in The Villages" External
Village-News.com. September 21, 2017.
"Billy Collins, former U.S. Poet Laureate, says Bob Dylan deserves Nobel Prize" External
NJArts.net. October 20, 2016
"Billy Collins Gleefully Needles Opaque Poets" External
Observer. October 4, 2016.
"Billy Collins on Being an Only Child, and Why Majoring in Poetry Is Like Majoring in Death" External
The Wall Street Journal. October 3, 2016.
"Poet Billy Collins will Return to Rollins College" External
Orlando Sentinel. November 18, 2015.
"Former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins' Contract Not Renewed by Rollins" External
Orlando Weekly. July 2, 2015.
"What’s a Poet Laureate Worth These Days?" External
Winter Park Magazine. July 1, 2015.
"Book Thief Vents Rage on Laureate's Poetry with Shotgun" External
The Citizen-Times (Asheville, North Carolina). May 23, 2015.
"A Conversation with Poet Billy Collins" External
Stay Thirsty Magazine. Winter 2015.
"Paul [McCartney] Chats with US Poet Laureate Billy Collins at Rollins College" External
PaulMcCartney.com, October 27, 2014.
"Dodge Poetry Festival: 5 Tips on Writing from Former Poet Laureate Billy Collins" External
NJ.com. October 25, 2014.
"The Joy of the Memorized Poem" External
The Atlantic. October 22, 2014.
"The Pleasures of Disorientation: A Conversation with Billy Collins" External
Littoral (journal of the Key West Literary Seminar). August 20, 2009.
"Poet Versed in Humor" External
Interviewed by Bo Emerson, The Washington Times. September 1, 2008.
"Interview with Poet Laureate Billy Collins" External
Interviewed by Lisa Guidarini, Bluestalking Reader. February 19, 2007.
"Billy Collins: America's Poet" External
CBS News. July 2, 2003.
"Poet Laureate Promotes 'Events for the Ear'" External
The Christian Science Monitor. April 25, 2002.
"Poet Laureate Billy Collins: Lehman College" External
Education Update. January 2002.
"Felicitous Spaces: An Interview with U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins" External
Terra Incognita. January 2001.

A selection of radio programs featuring Billy Collins or in which Collins and his work are discussed.

"Spotlight Billy: Collins Breaks Down Zipode Poetry" External
90.7 WMFE. April 21, 2017. (4:43)
"Poet Billy Collins Speaks in Des Moines" External
Iowa Public Radio. March 27, 2017. (17:30)
"Intersection: Billy Collins" External
90.7 WMFE. November 1, 2016. (14:52)
"Why English Lit is like death, and other ideas from Billy Collins" External
KUOW.org. October 10, 2016. (4:33)
"Former Poet Laureate Billy Collins On His New Collection—And How Poetry Is Changing" External
The Diane Rehm Show. WAMU, October 4, 2016. (48:32)
"Collins Values Approachable Poetry, Not Pretension" External
Talk of the Nation, NPR. April 6, 2011. (30:19)
"Love Of Words Brings Child, Poet Together" External
All Things Considered, NPR. November 9, 2010. (3:30)
"Poetry with Billy Collins, Part II" External
Fresh Air, NPR. June 7, 2006. (16:47)
"Billy Collins and 'Poetry on Record,' Part 1" External
Fresh Air, NPR. May 17, 2006. (26:08)
"Billy Collins on The Trouble with Poetry" External
All Things Considered, NPR. November 6, 2005. (6:13)
"Sharing Father's Day Memories" External
Morning Edition, NPR. June 18, 2004. (3:37)
"Billy Collins" External
The Paula Gordon Show. April 2, 2004. (3:21)
"An Intimate Evening with Billy Collins" External
North Country Public Radio Online. August 21, 2003. (1:00:49)
"Billy Collins and National Poetry Month" External
Morning Edition, NPR. April 1, 2003. (3:28)
"Summer Reading: U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins" External
Weekend Edition, NPR. August 11, 2002. (3:00)
"Poet Billy Collins Reads His Poem 'This Much I Do Remember'" External
Fresh Air, NPR. October 18, 2001. (4:18)
"U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins" External
Fresh Air, NPR. September 26, 2001. (19:24)
"Billy Collins: New U.S. Poet Laureate Talks About Fame, and His New Job" External
NPR. September 4, 2001. (7:50)
"Poet Billy Collins" External
Fresh Air, NPR. June 22, 2001. (16:02)

Many videos of Billy Collins reading and discussing his work can be found through the following two sources:

YouTube - "Billy Collins" search results External
Numerous videos of Billy Collins reading and performing his work appear through this YouTube search on his name.
"Billy Collins" External
A series of videos featuring Billy Collins' thoughts on the arts and other aspects of American culture and society
"Billy Collins Reads 'The Names' before a Joint Session of Congress" External
C-SPAN Video Library. September 6, 2002.
Billy Collins Reads "The Lanyard" External
Poetry Everywhere. (2:46)
"Billy Collins--Action Poetry" External
11 animated Billy Collins poems.

Selected online reviews of Billy Collins' poetry, prose, and children's books appear below.

Poetry Reviews

Whale Day: And Other Poems (2020)

Joyces Mystery and Fiction Book Reviews External

The Rain in Portugal (2016)

Aimless Love (2013)

Horoscopes for the Dead (2011)

Ballistics (2008)

She Was Just Seventeen (2006)

The Trouble with Poetry (2005)

New York Times External

Nine Horses: Poems (2002)

Sailing Alone Around the Room: New and Selected Poems (2001)

Publishers Weekly External

Taking Off Emily Dickinson's Clothes (2000)

Rasberry Thunder Bolt External

Questions About Angels (1999)

Picnic, Lightning (1998)

The Apple That Astonished Paris (1988)

The Guardian External