By Arren Joseph-White
On March 13 at 3:00pm, PSC’s own Jamey Jones from the English Department celebrated his third poetry book titled Under the Big Span of Small Regards. While the book was launched in 2024, it has not had its own official release party in Jones’ hometown, as the original release party took place in Brooklyn, New York.
Other than being a professor on our campus, Jones also sat as Poet Laureate for the Northwest Region for 6 years, from 2014 to 2020. After graduating from Long Island University in 2010 in creative writing, he wrote and released his book called Blue Rain Morning in 2010. His addition to the PSC staff was in 2013, and he has been teaching English and Poetry since then. He also is the advisor for the Hurricane Review, which is a literary magazine on our campus. Jones’ previous books include
The release party was small and intimate, held at Long Hollow Park, across from the Open Books Bookstore. The event itself was small yet intimate; it included readings from Jones himself within the concrete labyrinth in the park. Many friends and students attended the event, making it a meaningful and friendly event. He also took time to sign his works for those who bought them in the bookstore across the street. His previous books, morning coffee from the other side (published 2022) and In The Key of Clothespin (published 2021), can also be found at Open Books.
This book was a compilation of the first seven chapbooks that have been made by Jones. Most of the poems were written between 1994 and 2010. He claims despite the fact these works are older, he still holds them with pride. “Each book is very unique in content and form, and together they track my path as a poet, experimenting, taking chances, being open and vulnerable, and finding my way in the world,” said Jones about his book. “I’m delighted to see them together in one book.”
Luckily, for those interested, Jones has a chapbook coming out later this month titled Light Box Over My Head. This one will be handmade and limited edition. There will be a launch for this one as well. In the future, both on and off campus, we hope to see Jones accomplish much more in his future as a teacher, a poet, and an inspiring voice to the next generation. His books can be purchased at Open Books Bookstore, on 1040 N Guillemard St in downtown Pensacola.
