Well-known Kentucky writer comparable to poets like Wendell Berry, Silas House, James Still, Robert Penn Warren, and Bobbie Ann MasonW.S. Merwin selected him for the Yale Younger Poets Award for his first book, Book of VisionsPulitzer Prize-Finalist for The Common Man, judges’ comment: “A rich, often poignant collection of poems rooted in a rural Kentucky experiencing change in its culture and landscape.”Guggenheim FellowManning has extensive media coverage for all of his publications from The New York Times, NPR’s “All Things Considered, ” The Washington Post, etc.Working on a forthcoming podcast, Mud Church, that speaks to poetry, music, and places in Kentucky. Will include songs recorded by Manning.Forthcoming collaboration with musician Brendan Taaffe who is adapting poems from Manning's third collection and newer ones into song format.Audience: Readers from Kentucky, Appalachia, and/or rural farming communities, readers who have experienced or relate to complex or abusive father-son relationships, readers with interests in painting and art, pastoral/nature poetry, religious poetry (i.e. Protestant Christian), and word play and rhyme