If you can believe it, it’s May. How did that happen? I can’t be the only person who feels like time is running at full sprint? Anyway enough digressing, it’s the first day of the month which means…time to introduce a new Poetic Voice.
I first encountered May’s Poet on social media. Then I read her book Retired Wannabe Club Kid (and offered a blurb) and saw how much she was doing for the international poetry community and I knew I had to include her Poetic Voice in 2026.
Welcome… Rachel Turney.
This month we have poems from Rachel’s collection Retired Wannabe Club Kid (with a playlist), original poetry and an interview.
Rachel Turney, Ed.D. (she/her) is the Writer in Residence (2026) at NKollectiv in Englewood, Colorado. Her poems, research articles, reviews, and drawings can be found in a variety of publications. Rachel is passionate about immigrant rights, teacher support, and empowering other artists. She is a Writers’ Hour prize winner and Best of the Net nominee. Her photography appears on a few magazine covers. Rachel is the founder of the popular online reading series Poetry (in Brief). She is on staff at Bare Back Magazine with her monthly column Friday Night in the Suburbs. She reads for The Los Angeles Review.
Website: turneytalks.com Instagram: @turneytalks Bluesky: rachelturney
Books released or releasing in 2026:
Record Player Life with The Poetry Lighthouse – Buy here
Retired Wannabe Club Kid with Parlyaree Press – Buy here
To Be (a Woman) with redrosethorns – Pre-order here
Women Making Soup Together with Vinegar Press – Buy here
In this first instalment of Rachel’s feature I have 3 poems for you from various sections of Rachel’s book Retired Wannabe Club Kid with accompanying recommendations for music (these will be included in the full playlist in the 2nd instalment) as well as a brief Q&A…
Poem 1 is Redefining Night and it speaks to the raver in me.
Beautiful Like Me – Joydrop
Seventeen – Ladytron
Poem 2 ‘Europe’ takes us on a Clubber’s tour around the continent. It’s made me quite nostalgic…
Take Me to the Club – Mannequin
Poem 3 is a cosmic banger of a piece and one of my favourites…
What Else Is There? – Röyksopp
I asked Rachel a few questions about her writing…
PS: An easy one to begin with. What made you want to become a poet?
RT: Well, really doesn’t everyone want to be a best-selling fiction writer? But alas it turns out we are the chaotic poet just praying that one person will read our little poems about darkness, night, and maybe aliens. A person doesn’t choose poetry – poetry chooses you!
But really – I started the hobby of writing creatively when I was in elementary school, mostly short stories. I only recently sort of refound writing as a form of expression. I wrote a lot of the pieces in Retired Wannabe Club Kid as EDM lyrics and then I tried to learn how to use GarageBand without any success. I saw a few one woman shows at Iceland Airwaves back in 2019 where musicians looped their own music and sang and I was like damn I wanna do that. I then learned I cannot do that – lol. I tried to employ my father and brother, both exceptionally talented musicians, to help me but they didn’t “see the vision”, if you will. I am still looking for a collaborative partner if anybody reading this is interested.
PS: What is your writing process on a typical day?
RT: If you had asked me that a couple months ago the answer would be totally different than now! I used to have a structured routine, but I have abandoned it. Honestly, I think I got burnt out which won’t be surprising for anyone to hear – I do too much. I’m trying to “create” less. I do try to be true to one thing though – always writing things down. I have little notebooks around the house and some prompt journals as well that I use from time to time. Writing processes evolve and change and I think that’s a good thing.
In April I participated in One Poem Only’s After program, where I wrote a poem each day “after” the poem that was read on One Poem Only. Practices like this can be helpful as long as they aren’t forced. I am slowing down as a writer and trying to focus more on my reading series Poetry (in Brief). In fact, now is a great time to announce that I am starting a magazine based on my reading series! Stay tuned for more information on that!
PS: Movement and music play a big part in your poetry. How did this influence start and how do you keep it original and fresh in your work rather than making it feel routine?
RT: I come from a family of artists, musicians, and singers. I struggled to find my medium growing up. For a time, I rejected or didn’t honor the art and music side of me. It can be daunting when you are surrounded by talent. What I do have that the rest of my family lacks is fortitude. You can reject my poem 1,000 times; I’ll just keep submitting. I have found that this is necessary in the world of poetry, which is a very subjective art form. I think I have found my place in the art world now.
To the second question – I would like to think I achieved that by compiling all of my poems in this genre of music and movement in one collection: Retired Wannabe Club Kid. This collection is wildly different from the other three I have published. I don’t write in this style currently/anymore. I feel like I completed that work and I have moved to other influences and types of poetry. Right now, I am trying to write more prose and explore new genres like horror, science fiction, and surrealism.
PS: You do a lot of wonderful promotion for the poetry community. Do you have any tips for poets who want to get their work seen by a broader audience?
RT: Read and get involved with literary magazines. Three years ago, I had published literally one poem during the pandemic – a poem which is included in my book coming out on May 13th 2026 – To Be (a Woman). It wasn’t until I started submitting to literary magazines that I gained confidence. Now my work has appeared in hundreds of publications and I have made connections with so many EICs and other poets.
Another way to build connections is to champion the work of others. When I pick up a literary magazine, I read the pieces by the folks I know first and that I chat with on social media. I met most of the people I talk to regularly through my invited reading series Poetry (in Brief). I had a little group of poets I really admired and I thought hey I wanna meet these people, so I started a reading series to connect with others and create a space for community.
PS: Finally, beside you, who are the other poets we should be reading at the moment?
RT: I think a great place to find the freshest voices is through literary magazines! The editors curate their pages usually out of hundreds of submissions and tend to bring a collection of current and necessary poetry. Find a few lit magazines you enjoy, support them, and keep up with their editions. A few magazines I keep up with are Wild Roof, Orange Rose, Moss Puppy, Thorn & Bloom Magazine (by redrosethorns), anything Paul Short is doing – like your anthology Unwhispered Legacy that just came out (nods at Paul), Drip Lit, and so many others!
Instagram accounts I recommend following:
The Poetry Lighthouse publishes new poems directly to their Instagram from poets all over the world. You really get a good sense of what poetry is doing globally if you follow them. @thepoetrylighthouse
Quillkeepers – Stephanie Lamb (EIC) posts her own calls and many others in her stories. She champions the work of others. @quillkeeperspress
Here are a couple poets I keep up with on Instagram and why:
Nana – Nana does interesting things with rhyme and storytelling. I really respect his work.
@whatnanawrote
Sandra Beth Levy – She posts her poems and just has a very positive page that uplifts others.
@slevy43
And of course, follow me and say hello! @turneytalks
PS: Thanks Rachel. I completely agree with your recommendations and advice.
What an epic start to this month’s feature! Bookmark this post and return on May 11th for more poems, track recommendations and a playlist…
Paul Writes Poems 