Photo of me taking a picture in front of the mirror at Pacific Northwest College of Arts during an art exhibition.

Hello!!!

My name is Asela Lee Kemper and I am a poet and teaching artist based in PNW.

To view more, check out my Linktree for additional resources.

Work

Check out the links to my current works as well as workshops, readings, and interviews I have done in the past.

Publications (From Past Literary Zines and Journals)

  • World of Dance (contributor) (2013 - 2014)

  • Odyssey (2015 - 2017)

  • Raiders Engaged (2017 - 2018)

  • Marías at Sampaguitas Issue 4: CAMP

  • Marías at Sampaguitas Issue 5: RITUALS

  • BALDHIP Magazine (2016)

  • Main Squeeze (SOU Student Press) (2016)

Readings

NAWP: Open Mic (February 2024)
Finally: The Mixtape - Book Launch and Reading
Kundiman PNW Reading
2 ‘n’ Sync Podcast Presents: Studio 2427 Open Mic & Poetry Reading

  • Get Lit (Nomadic Press - 2022)

  • Get Lit (Nomadic Press - 2021)

Past Workshops

Photo of me posing with the headline “The Poetry Lab Presents: Hooks, Heartbreak, & Heat - Poetry & Pop Music with Asela Kemper”. This workshop was set from June to August 2026.

  • Poetry & Pop (Generative Making Session), Summer 2025 (Pacific Northwest College of Arts)

  • "Are We There Yet?": Narrative Distance, Distance in Narration, and Keeping Readers Close (Salon), Summer 2024 (Pacific Northwest College of Arts)

  • Intro to Ekphrastic Poetry (Online Workshop), October 2024

Interviews

About

Asela Lee Kemper is a poet based in Southern Oregon. She is a poetry editor at Variety Pack magazine and has previously worked with presses and magazines including Timberline Review, and Copper Canyon Press. She also has published works in Silk Club: QUIET, Mag 20/20 and the anthology No Tender Fences. She is the author of the digital chapbook Cherry Blossom Festival and audio microchapbook Finally: The Mixtape. Asela received a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Pacific Northwest College of Arts. Her debut poetry collection, The Feels, will be published in June 2027 under Gnashing Teeth Publishing. Aside from publishing, Asela has led poetry workshops for The Poetry Lab, Abode Press, Variety Pack Magazine, and Southern Oregon University’s summer program, ACADEMY. You can find Asela on Instagram @thesakuraink and on Substack at aselawhowrites.substack.com.

Contact

You can find me by following me on various social platforms including Substack. You can also support me by going to PayPal and Ko-Fi.

Causes I Support

Please check out the links to the causes and non-profit organizations who need our support.