Barbie Chang: A Career in Poetry, Prose, and Academic Leadership
Barbie Chang is a distinguished literary figure whose body of work spans multiple genres, from experimental poetry and poignant nonfiction to children's literature. With a career marked by prestigious awards and a commitment to academic excellence, Chang has established herself as a versatile voice in contemporary letters.
Key Facts
- Academic Role: Margaret T. and Henry C. Bourne Chair in Poetry at Georgia Tech and Director of Poetry@Tech.
- Major Awards: Recipient of the 2014 PEN USA Award for Poetry and the 2024 Forward Prize for Best Collection.
- Notable Works: Author of acclaimed collections including Obit and The Trees Witness Everything.
- Editorial Experience: Former poetry editor for The New York Times Magazine and Tupelo Quarterly.
The Evolution of Chang's Poetry
Chang's poetic journey began with her first collection, Circle, published in 2005 by Southern Illinois University Press as part of the Crab Orchard Series in Poetry. She followed this with Salvinia Molesta in 2008, published by the University of Georgia Press.
Her third collection, The Boss (2013), published by McSweeney's, brought significant critical attention, earning the 2014 PEN USA Award for Poetry. This was followed by Barbie Chang (2017) and Obit (2020), both published by Copper Canyon Press.
Obit is particularly noted for its use of obituary forms—standardized notices of death—to explore themes of grief, memory, family, and loss. The collection achieved widespread acclaim, being longlisted for the 2020 National Book Award for Poetry and shortlisted for the 2021 Griffin International Poetry Prize. It was also a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award in Poetry, and the PEN/Voelcker Award.
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Experimental Forms and Inspirations
In 2022, Chang expanded her formal exploration with The Trees Witness Everything, published by Copper Canyon. This collection utilizes waka, traditional Japanese syllabic poetic forms. The work was recognized as one of the best books of 2022 by both The Guardian and The New Yorker.
Her 2024 collection, With My Back to the World (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), drew inspiration from the writings and paintings of artist Agnes Martin. This work received the 2024 Forward Prize for Best Collection and was a finalist for the 2025 California Book Award, the 2025 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award, and the 2025 PEN/Jean Stein Book Award. Most recently, Tree of Knowledge was published in 2026 by Farrar, Straus & Giroux and was named one of the best books of 2026 by The Telegraph.
Prose, Editing, and Children's Literature
Beyond poetry, Chang has made significant contributions to prose and editing. In 2004, she edited Asian American Poetry: The Next Generation (University of Illinois Press), an anthology featuring poets under the age of forty, featuring a foreword by Marilyn Chin.
Her foray into nonfiction includes Dear Memory: Letters on Writing, Silence, and Grief (2021), published by Milkweed Editions. Described by Kamran Javadizadeh in The New Yorker, the book consists of letters addressed to a diverse range of recipients, including the living, the dead, teachers, family members, and the reader.
Chang has also written for younger audiences. Her children's works include the 2015 picture book Is Mommy?, illustrated by Marla Frazee, the 2020 middle-grade novel in verse Love, Love, and the 2026 novel in verse for young readers, Eureka.
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Academic Leadership and Editorial Work
Chang currently serves as the Margaret T. and Henry C. Bourne Chair in Poetry at Georgia Tech, where she leads the Poetry@Tech initiative. Her professional experience also includes serving as a poetry editor for Tupelo Quarterly and The New York Times Magazine, as well as acting as a Poem-a-Day guest editor in May 2019.
| Year | Title | Publisher | Notable Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Circle | Southern Illinois University Press | Debut collection |
| 2013 | The Boss | McSweeney's | 2014 PEN USA Award for Poetry |
| 2020 | Obit | Copper Canyon Press | LA Times Book Prize, Anisfield-Wolf Award |
| 2022 | The Trees Witness Everything | Copper Canyon Press | Best Book of 2022 (The New Yorker, The Guardian) |
| 2024 | With My Back to the World | Farrar, Straus and Giroux | 2024 Forward Prize for Best Collection |
| 2026 | Tree of Knowledge | Farrar, Straus & Giroux | Best Book of 2026 (The Telegraph) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the collection 'Obit'?
Obit is significant for its innovative use of obituary forms to explore themes of loss, grief, family, and memory. It received numerous accolades, including the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award in Poetry.
What poetic form is used in 'The Trees Witness Everything'?
This collection is largely composed using waka, which are traditional Japanese syllabic poetic forms.
Has Barbie Chang written for children?
Yes, Chang has written several books for young readers, including the picture book Is Mommy? and novels in verse titled Love, Love and Eureka.
What is Barbie Chang's current academic position?
She is the Margaret T. and Henry C. Bourne Chair in Poetry at Georgia Tech, where she also directs Poetry@Tech.
Which artist inspired 'With My Back to the World'?
The collection was inspired by the paintings and writings of the artist Agnes Martin.