About the author

Michael Favala Goldman is a translator of Danish literature, a poet, educator and jazz clarinetist. Among his sixteen translated books are Dependency (a Penguin Classic) by Tove Ditlevsen, The Water Farm Trilogy by Cecil Bødker, and Something To Live Up To, Selected Poems of Benny Andersen.

His eight poetry collections include the are award-winning, Small Sovereign and What Minimal Joy.

LATEST BOOK

We Are More Than Just This

“The heart dancing in its cage
has its own little gravity,
its own little lightning.”

We are more than just this by Michael Favala Goldman hits that sweet spot between intellect and heart. His poems mine domestic conflict, nature, and the creative process, to find breakthroughs to belonging despite pride, rejections, and self- sabotage. “It’s always sunrise somewhere./…irrepressible, the arc/ of awakening.”
We Are More Than Just This

Poet and Speaker

Michael believes that literature is important because it can soften the shells around our hearts, helping us to feel more compassion for others and for ourselves.

Michael presents his poetry at festivals, classrooms, and gatherings both in-person and online.

He is available for poetry readings, interviews, lectures, and keynotes.

Translator

Michael Favala Goldman sitting at his desk

Translator of eighteen works of Danish literature, including poetry, short fiction, novels, non-fiction, memoir, and essays.

Michael translates the work of Danish writers who have something original and surprising to share, ideas that transcend national boundaries.

Instructor

Michael Favala Goldman Headshot 02 - Media Kit

Michael has been moderating poetry critique meet-ups since 2018, co-spopnsored by the Northampton Center for the Arts and Straw Dog Writers Guild. His philosophy with these sessions is to foster a community of poets and to provide concrete feedback that each poet can use to elevate their craft. Michael also teaches “A Poets Place,” a six-week class to foster poetic voice and poetic identity at the Northampton Center for the Arts. All poets are welcome to both programs.

Musician

Michael plays the clarinet

Michael plays the bass clarinet and clarinet with his band, Now’s the Time.

They have performed at First Night Northampton, Cultural Chaos, Luthier’s Co-op and numerous other venues in Western Massachusetts. Sometimes Michael’s band accompanies his poetry.

He also has written and recorded numerous original songs, including one album, Tell Them Today.

Testimonials:

Michael is an incredible teacher

I’ve told all the writers in my poetry club that Michael is an incredible teacher. The range of what we covered was so valuable. In the end it felt like an entire semester in just six sessions. It was truly an A+ experience, rather life-changing.

– C.R.

Excellent facilitation skills

This was an excellent experience and that I greatly appreciate Michael’s excellent facilitation skills. He is outstanding at keeping participants on course with the goals, and provides excellent curriculum design for the program. I like that there was a substantive amount of guidance and resources provided in the course, include sharing opportunities for submissions to high quality publications. I would encourage all poets to participate in this course

– C.D.

He makes it feel very possible to start getting my work out to an audience.

I really valued the chance to workshop poems and receive tangible feedback. I learned about the editing process and got new inspirations for prompts. I valued the community aspect and getting to meet with and work with fellow emerging poets. I also appreciated the approachable and tangible suggestions Michael had for entering the poetry community locally. He makes it feel very possible to start getting my work out to an audience.

– M.N.

I learned a great deal

Michael is extremely organized, generous with information for writers including revisions, suggestions for titles, avenues for publication, and very thoughtful with responses. The environment he creates is a comfortable and “safe” space in which we all can try new approaches without fear. The pace of the class is excellent: each week building on the previous. Standing up to perform our work was daunting and useful.

I learned a great deal…cannot say enough about that.

– S.S.

Read Michael's Work

Original Poetry

Selected poems from Michael’s poetry collections
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Periodicals

A selection of Michael’s work appearing in publications
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Translations

Selected excerpts from Danish authors in translation
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Full Bibliography

A complete list of Michael’s books and publications
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You'll Also Love...

Click on the covers below to see more information about any book, including options to buy it.

News

Click on the articles below for a variety of interviews and publications highlighting the impact of Michael’s writing.

Poet Talk with Michael Favala Goldman

Live Radio interview on WMUA at University of Massachusetts, Amherst. With host Ellen Miller-Mack. Discussion of Danish poet Benny Andersen, emotional resonance of poetry, Michael’s origins as a poet, and […]
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What is Poetry

Short film by Chris Gentes features four poets – Tommy Twilite, Howie Faerstein, LD Green, and Michael Favala Goldman – discussing their writing process, performance, and vulnerability. Recorded in Florence, […]
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Michael Favala Goldman interviewed on Rattlecast

I was recently interviewed on Rattlecast, the podcast of Rattle Magazine. What an amazing opportunity!  Below is a recording of the interview. Thanks to Rattlecast’s editor, Timothy Green, for having me […]
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That day arrived. Knud Sørensen, 1928-2022

The funeral of Knud Sørensen, great Danish author of more than sixty works of poetry and prose, was held last week on October 5, and the sky cried. It poured, […]
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A Unique  Book Signing & Library Fundraiser

On August 5, 2022, I attended a unique authors’ event in Sharon, Connecticut. It was their local  Hotchkiss Library’s 24th Annual Summer Book Signing. The event is a unique type […]
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Save the Date: Jazz Party and Book Launch for Michael’s new poetry collection

To celebrate the publication of my fifth book of poetry, This May Sound Familiar, we will hold a party at the Northampton Center for the Arts at 33 Hawley St. […]
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