Tyler Knott Gregson
Tyler Knott Gregson is a poet, author and professional photographer based out of Helena, Montana.[1][2] Gregson has accrued fame as a poet on social media platforms such as Tumblr, Instagram and Twitter since 2009. He writes and posts a "Daily Haiku on Love," and a raw poem from his "Typewriter Series" every day currently.[3]
Background
Gregson studied sociology and criminology at the University of Montana. He worked as a freelance writer for various companies, and began blogging on his own in 2009. He says he has written poetry since being in middle school.
Typewriter Series
The inspiration for the "Daily Haiku" series was sparked on the toilet. The "Typewriter Series" was born in 2012 when Gregson found an old typewriter in a Helena antique store and typed out a poem spontaneously. He said, "I just did it all at once and it was like stream of consciousness, I didn't plan it or think it through—I just let it go." The poet now challenges himself to post one of these every single day.[3]
Gregson's main incentive for writing is to express that poetry is not dead and is something to be valued.[4] Writing about various themes like love, hope, sadness, and wanderlust, has enabled his readers to relate their own experiences to his words. Gregson has enticed readers by inspiring them to view the world in a different light. In order to continue making a difference with his writing, Gregson donated $2 of the sales for every pre-ordered book of "Chasers of the Light" to the To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA) suicide prevention organization. [4] The author has ranked a huge social media following, consisting of 259,000 followers on Tumblr and 184,000 on Instagram[5] These followers are rapidly increasing as fellow celebrities have noticed his work and are mentioning him to their own followers. Singer/songwriter Christina Perri has encouraged fans to check out Gregson's work which has provided him more exposure in the social media realm. [5]
He also works as a professional wedding photographer at a company he co-founded with Sarah Linden, Treehouse Photography.[6]
Identifies as Buddhist.[7]
Publication
Mr. Gregson’s first poetry book, “Chasers of the Light,” became a national best seller with more than 120,000 copies in print.[8] Perigee, a division of Penguin Random House, picked up Gregson's "Typewriter series" and published selected poems from it into a compilation called Chasers of the Light in 2014. The collection of poetry was a top 10 bestseller of non-fiction within its second week of publication, according to the Wall Street Journal.[9] In 2015 Gregson came out with a collection of haikus on love, entitled —All the Words Are Yours. —
Bibliography
- Chasers of the Light. Perigree Books. 2014. ISBN 9780399169731
- All the Words are Yours. Perigree Books. 2015. ISBN 9780399176005
References
- ↑ "Local poet has gained a large online following with his poems typed onto scraps of paper". Independent Record. January 1, 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- ↑ Gregson, Tyler Knott (2014). Chasers of the Light, Penguin Group, New York. ISBN 9780399169731.
- 1 2 Russell, Anna. "Tyler Knott Gregson's Poetry Cracks Best-Seller Lists", The Wall Street Journal, New York, 14 September 2014. Retrieved on 11 November 2014.
- 1 2 Schuller, Megan (13 October 2014). "'Chasers of the Light' proves poetry is not dead". Retrieved 22 October 2015.
- 1 2 Russell, Anna (19 September 2014). "Arena--- Theater and Books-- Insta Poet: Tyler Knott Gregson: From Haiku to the Best- Seller List". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
- ↑ http://treehousephotography.org
- ↑ http://tylerknott.com
- ↑ Alter, Aleander (7 November 2015). "Web Poets' Society: New Breed Succeeds in Taking Verse Viral". New York Times.
- ↑ "Best-Selling Books Week Ended Sept. 6.", The Wall Street Journal, New York, 11 September 2014. Retrieved on 11 November 2014.