W. Scott Hanna is a professor of English at West Liberty University, where he teaches creative writing and literature. His poetry and creative nonfiction have been published in Pine Mountain Sand and Gravel, Cleaver Magazine, Still: The Journal, Porter House Review, and others. He served as the poetry editor of the Northern Appalachia Review from its inaugural volume in 2020 until 2025. Born and raised in the Upper Ohio Valley, he currently lives in St. Clairsville, Ohio.
His piece "Years of Gravity," published in Porter House Review, is a Best of the Net Nominee for 2025.
...coming soon...
The Only House on the Left is a collection of poetry and prose arranged in five sections that can be read as a memoir in verse. The first section contains poems of childhood memories and family portraits; the second section is a longer, metaphorical coming-of-age piece focusing on initiation moments; the third section details relationship poems; the fourth section focuses on poems of fatherhood; and the final section contains poems dealing with the grief that results with the loss of a parent. Cycling through this chronology of life experience, the book ultimately ends on a note of hope and redemption. In production currently with Kelsay Books, The Only House on the Left will be available in early 2026.
The cover image is done in mixed-media illustration by Kathryn Weir. Each image in the collage is a reference to imagery found throughout the poetry and prose of The Only House on Left. To learn more about Katie and to see more of her artwork, visit the Illustration Gallery page.
Upcoming Events
Reading and Book Launch for The Only House on the Left, date and location TBD
Reading with Pine Mountain Sand and Gravel contributors, March 19 - 21, Huntington, WV
Poems from The Only House on the Left, Elbin Library, West Liberty University, April 15th, 2025 at 12:00pm