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Hey, everyone. I enjoyed hosting Hannah V Warren on the podcast today. She’s a poet, translator, and keen observer of life. She's the author of the poetry collection Slaughterhouse for Old Wives' Tales and two chapbooks. Hannah is a creative force, full of originality, surprise, and depth, and it was such an honor to have her on the show.
Hannah shared her journey into poetry, which began in rural South Mississippi, where she described having few opportunities to engage with poetry. It wasn’t until college, when she took an Introduction to Poetry class with Catherine Pierce, that she discovered contemporary voices like Natasha Trethewey. Trethewey’s work, deeply rooted in the South, inspired Hannah to explore her experiences and identity through poetry. She pursued an MFA at the University of Kansas, where she delved into grotesque and speculative poetry, eventually returning to the South to confront her roots in her writing.
Her work is deeply influenced by Southern Gothic themes, examining the ecological, cultural, and gendered landscapes of the Deep South. Hannah’s poetry challenges patriarchal norms and old wives’ tales, blending personal experience with natural history and folklore. She talked about how her unexpected move to Irondale, Alabama, has enriched her writing as she engages with the region’s ecological diversity and complex history. To connect with her new surroundings, she founded *Aesthetic Shock*, a home-based poetry series that brings poets and audiences together to discuss landscape and place.
Hannah shared insights into her debut collection, Slaughterhouse for Old Wives' Tales, which weaves personal narratives, natural history, and Southern folklore together. The title reflects her desire to “slaughter” harmful traditions while celebrating women's resilience. She read a powerful note from the book, inviting readers into a deeply personal and transformative conversation.
We also touched on her latest work, Hurricane Pastoral, a manuscript exploring Gothic landscapes in the Deep South and Germany. Hannah compared the religiosity and cultural expectations placed on women in both regions and read a poem from Cologne’s Mirrors collection, which reflects on history, inheritance, and identity.
Before we wrapped up, Hannah shared some book recommendations,

Render / An Apocalypse by Rebecca Gayle Howell and

Judas Goat by Gabrielle Bates explores landscape and identity in fascinating ways. She left us with a final thought: now is a great time to make art. Writing down your experiences is vital in this challenging moment, and your unique voice is worth sharing.
This conversation with Hannah was genuinely inspiring, and I’m so grateful she joined me to explore the beauty of language, place, and the power of poetry. Thank you for tuning in, and until next time, keep exploring the world around you through words.

Social links:

https://hannahvwarren.com/

https://www.instagram.com/hannahvwarren/

https://bsky.app/profile/hannahvwarren.bsky.social

www.inkofsingh.com