The Writers of Wales Database

OPRAVA, DAVID E.

Website: http://www.deoprava.com

David is an expat American writer who has lived and worked in Wales for over a decade. He grew up in north-east USA and became a lecturer in politics, history and English literature. David is currently researching the expatriate American experience expressed in poetic form for a PhD in Poetry at Swansea University. His thesis will consist of fifty researched poems that will capture the essence of each of the fifty US states.

David's poetry considers the curious skin of life and the universal bones beneath. His work has been published widely both in print and on online journals, including Opium, Lit Up magazine and Literal Translations. The recent collection Sole (Blackheath Books, 2010) is his third book of poetry. He is also an artist and editor at his small independent publishing house: Grievous Jones Press. David is a Member of The Welsh Academy.

Reviews:

With respect to VS. (erbacce Press, 2008)

"…David Oprava's poetry is spectacularly abundant with wit, insight, music, and, above all, reality. His book is a great pleasure to read, and may even help you to live…"
Benjamin Kunkel

"…With VS. David E. Oprava has infuriatingly managed to combine fine writing with moments of brilliance that quite frankly left me open mouthed. Here is an exciting poetic voice that needs to be ready for a cascade of worldwide acclaim that its sure to come is way…"
Richard Wink


Selected Publications:
VS. (erbacce Press, 2008)
American Means (Grievous Jones Press, 2009)
Sole (Blackheath Books, 2010)
y? A Viral Book (Grevious Jones Press, 2011)