Jerry Wemple

Jerry Wemple's work reflects a lifelong fascination with the people and places of his native Pennsylvania. From an urban sandlot in Philadelphia to a worn-out coal mining town far upstate, his work explores not only the what, but the why of situations. Much of his work delves into the history, both the personal and social, and places it against the often stark reality of the present day. Wemple is the author of four poetry collections, Most recently We Always Wondered What Became of You (Broadstone Books, 2023) and Artemas & Ark: the Ridge and Valley poems (Finishing Line Press, 2000). He is co-editor, along with Marjorie Maddox, of the anthologies Common Wealth: Contemporary Poets on Pennsylvania (Penn State Press, 2005) and Keystone Poetry (Penn State Press, 2025). He also is co-editor, with AD Stuart, of Rivers, Ridges, and Valleys: Essays on Rural Pennsylvania (Catamount Press, 2025). He holds an MFA from the University of Massachusetts, and received, among other awards, a Fellowship in Literature from the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts and the Jack and Helen Evans Endowed Faculty Fellowship. He is a Professor of English at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg.