KINSELLA, MICHAEL F, 1957-.
Mikel K papers, 1987-1999

Restrictions on Access

Special restrictions apply: Use copies have not been made for audiovisual material in this collection. Researchers must contact the Rose Library at least two weeks in advance for access to these items. Collection restrictions, copyright limitations, or technical complications may hinder the Rose Library's ability to provide access to audiovisual material.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

All requests subject to limitations noted in departmental policies on reproduction.

Source

Purchased from Mikel K, 2020-2021

Citation

[after identification of item(s)], Mikel K papers, Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, Emory University.

Appraisal Note

Acquired by Curator of Political, Cultural, and Social Movements Collections, Randy Gue, as part of the Rose Library's holdings in Atlanta history.

Processing

Processed at the collection level by Laura Starratt, March 2023.

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Biographical Note

Mikel K was born Michael Francis Kinsella on June 20, 1957, and is an Atlanta poet and music writer living in Mableton, Georgia, with his partner, artist Just Joan (born July 23 [?]). Mikel K has a son, Graem. He was voted Best Local Poet in 2012, 2013, and 2014 by readers of Creative Loafing, a weekly newspaper in Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from Venice Senior High School (Venice, Florida) in 1975 and earned his bachelor's degree in English with a minor in Journalism from Georgia State University (Atlanta, Georgia) in 1992. Mikel K worked as a freelancer for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, covering the music scene, circa 1990s. The Mikel K Band released the album Sober in 1998.

Poetry by Mikel K has appeared in a number of publications including Subtle Tea, drown in my own fears, poetic diversity, Zygote In My Coffee, The Blue Lake Review, Swimming With Elephants, The Georgia Review, The Reeve Report, Lowlife Magazine, The Political Dogma, World Wide Hippies.com, Open Salon, and Beagle Bugle. He self-published his memoir, The Delivery Guy, in 2007 and followed up with 14 more books of poetry and narratives. He later republished Please Allow Me to Introduce Myself (2017) with Pski's Porch.

Scope and Content Note

The collection consists of notebooks, writings, promotional materials, and recordings of the work of Atlanta poet, Mikel K. There is also a small amount of correspondence and personal papers including his son's schoolwork and Mikel K's resumes and notes. Of note are video recordings of Mikel K’s public access television show Your 15 Minutes R Up, which features local bands, poets, and artists. The show was broadcast on Atlanta’s People TV cable channel in the late 1980s and early 1990s. People TV was created in 1986 with a mission to provide the Atlanta Community a voice through public created programming. In addition, there are a significant number of notebooks Mikel K kept from 1982 to 1995, most of which contain sparse entries of poetry, journal entries, and drafts of two novels—The Delivery Guy and Baking Banana Bread from Scratch. There are also about 20 issues of the Atlanta publication Footnotes from 1997 as well as fliers and promotional material for shows and readings.

Arrangement Note

Arranged in alphabetical order.