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Desiree C. Bailey

@desireecbailey

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poet, writer, professor.
author of What Noise Against the Cane @yalebooks

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2026 DISQUIET International Literary Program ✎

Muito, muito, muito obrigada to the DISQUIET International Literary Program for welcoming me to learn through workshops, readings, inspiring Fado Museums and performances, open mics, and so on in Lisbon, Portugal with open arms of shared sincerity and saudade.

Thank you to Jeff Parker, Scott Laughlin, Laura Breitenbeck, and every soul at DISQUIET and the Centro Nacional de Cultura for their care; also, to Desiree Bailey and Stefan Bindley-Taylor for a reverent poetry workshop, as well as the poets in it who were poems themselves, and selfless to lend their ears and voices for the sake of my poetry; of course, to Terri Witek, without whom I would never have wandered into the “well-ghosted” Fernando Pessoa Game workshop room, learned to listen to their lines and the transfigurations of writing; to the @stetsonhonors program, for the generous scholarship which made it possible to study abroad; and, lastly, to Colin and my family, who were my home amidst the newness of Portugal, and to God, who repeatedly silenced me into song with His beauty… Does He feel saudade for us, for all creation? 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟

Bem, Portugal and her people survived through literature. This program reminded me that literature is a form of survival. Mas, I must now write rather than solely reminisce. Eu te amo, DISQUIET!

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Presenting Novel Niche's 2026 list of 31 More Caribbean Books of Poetry for The Sealey Challenge

It's August, and it is (always) time for poems. I had a spectacular time curating this year's list, which follows the inaugural one I shared in 2025. Groupings of three remain, and no poets have been repeated from the year prior. No list is ever exhaustive or complete; the best of them are apertures, portals, possibilities.

I'll be writing my own poems all through this month, which feels like a poetic Yuletide. I marvel that I get to do this work while around the globe, poems are being read, a gathering of voices in an otherwise dangerous time. I hope at least one of the books on this list is the necessary weapon you need for August (and beyond it): an axe; an armful of flowers; an armistice; a path ahead.

Remember, reading the Caribbean means you read the world.

See the full list of 31 titles in the comments below.

@thesealeychallenge
@readcaribbean
#TheSealeyChallenge
#ReadCaribbean

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Sealey Challenge, Activate! If you’re looking for more poetry to read for your Sealey Challenge, here are a few suggestions! And while yes, it’s great to get new works, it’s also good to read ones you’ve already been through—like a visit back to old haunts with new eyes. And don’t forget to use your local libraries! Especially in this economy. Fight the good fight y’all. Black don’t crack cuz we exist in every lifetime, in every dimension. Period. Swipe for my recs. Bonus Recs: Franny Choi’s and Carolyn Forché’s works😱😱😱Xx

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Yoh hai, this character is a problem and we coming for him in this life and the next

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This summer I got to spend two weeks in Lisbon diving into my creative writing practice! From workshops to readings, open mics, and exploring, this experience was unforgettable. Thank you so much to @disquietilp for this wonderful opportunity. And thank you to the faculty and fellow participants of this program that made it truly special. 🫶🏾

#disquiet #poetry #creativenonfiction #lisbon #writing

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UMass MFA past and present gather at the recently completed Disquiet Literary Program in Lisbon... @disquietilp

...in front of the olive tree transplanted from Jose Saramago's hometown and below which lie his ashes after a fantastic event with @bumperg, @joaopvala, and @aliontas at @fjsaramago.

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#lisbon and @disquietilp were a needed experience. Thank you new friends and family. Thank you new community. Thank you bigger dreams. Can't wait to see each other again.

Mad love.

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We had a wonderful two weeks at the 2026 DISQUIET International Literary Program! What a beautiful series of writing workshops, publishing panels, readings, and community events. Thank you to all of these incredible people for making this program a phenomenal literary experience in Lisbon, Portugal.

Photo credits:

©EGEAC – Teatro São Luiz, Pedro Rosário Nunes

Inês Pinto Gonçalves/FLAD

@steventagle

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Algumas imagens do festival Disquiet, em Lisboa, onde tive o gosto de apresentar a minha escrita a um grupo de talentosos autores vindos dos Estados Unidos. Foi um prazer partilhar o palco com @desireecbailey e conviver com pessoas inspiradoras, que me deram ainda mais vontade de passar o verão a acabar o meu próximo romance. Thank you, @disquietilp , Centro Nacional de Cultura and @flad.pt !

No último vídeo, podem ouvir-me ler um trecho de “Apneia” em inglês.

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Last night of Disquiet. So grateful for all the time and care these writers, mentors, and inspirers gave for these past two weeks. Safe travels, everyone!

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What an incredible first week of the 2026 DISQUIET International Literary Program! We are so grateful for this talented cohort of writers, instructors, editors, scholars, and collaborators. We can't wait for another week of events with you all.

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The first half of the DISQUIET International Literary Program is over, so I’m looking back at a packed week in Lisbon, Portugal!

Every day, I’m filled with so much joy that I get to be here.

As a Canadian, I keep saying that it’s lovely to be in this alternate literary universe with a whole new set of international authors to discover— many of whom have never been to Canada before! Much appreciation to the DISQUIET 2026 writers, panelists, and mentors I’ve had the pleasure to see during week one.

Tagging them all here so you can follow them too:

@dureamna
@aliontas
@ednahi
@julie_hensely_writer
@tfaia
@teolindagersao
@bumperg
@joaopvala
@bdantaslobato
@radiodepilhas
@eduardoquive
@ericadawsonpoet
@anapbarbarapedrosa
@desireeccbailey
@taniaganho
@anamargaridaprado

Huge thanks to the DISQUIET team for giving us such a dreamy week:
@scottwlaugh
@thebackoftheline
@oonagram
@janedykema

Learn more about the program here: @disquietilp

#Disquiet #DisquietILP #Disquiet2026

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