Larry D. Thomas

How do you go from counseling criminals to writing poetry? Ask Larry D. Thomas, Texas poet laureate for 2008. He’ll be making his first appearance of the year at today’s First Friday reading series.

Thomas has been mixing criminal justice and writing for more than 30 years now. Mondays through Fridays, he kept bad guys in check (first at the Navy prison in Norfolk, then with the Harris County Adult Probation Department). On weekends, he switched gears and wrote poetry.

When he retired ten years ago, he started writing full-time and has racked up a slew of awards for his efforts (including a couple of Texas Review Poetry Prizes and a Western Heritage Award). His latest collection of work, Larry D. Thomas: New and Collected Work, will be released next May. No word on release dates for his former clients. 8:30 p.m. Inprint House, 1520 West Main. For information, call 713-521-2026 or e-mail houstonfirstfri@aol.com. Free.
Thu., Dec. 4, 8:30 p.m., 2008