Draft:William Semo

Here's the updated article with William Semo's personal influences added:

William Semo (born 1978) is an American poet known for works reflecting the landscape, history, and culture of the Laurel Highlands region in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Early life and education
Semo was born in 1978 in Somerset, Pennsylvania, a town situated in the Laurel Highlands. He spent his childhood in rural areas nearby, developing an appreciation for the region's natural environment and way of life. His family had roots in the local coal mining industry going back generations, which inspired his poetic connection to the region. Semo attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he studied English literature and began writing and publishing poetry. He graduated in 2000.

Influences
Semo has cited various personal influences on his writing, including musicians Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson, writers Jack Kerouac, Alan Watts, Kahlil Gibran and Mark Twain.

Career
After college, Semo traveled and worked various jobs before returning to Somerset County to focus on writing. He has taught poetry workshops and advocated for preserving the Laurel Highlands' cultural heritage.

Poetry collections
Semo's debut poetry collection was Laurel Highlands Poet (2005), depicting the landscapes and legacy of coal mining towns in the region. His subsequent books include:
 * Son Of A Sailor (2010)
 * Valerie (2014)
 * The Last Mountain Tales Of The Ridge Runner (2018)
 * A Loyalhanna Song (2022)
 * Your Alpha Wolf (2022)

Style and themes
Semo's free verse poems are characterized by reverence for nature, vivid imagery, and capturing working-class rural experiences. Major themes include the environment, sense of place, loss of tradition, and reconnecting with the past. Through his writing, he aims to honor the often-overlooked people and history of the Laurel Highlands region.

Reception and awards
Semo's poetry is praised for authentic evocation of the Laurel Highlands. Notable honors include:
 * Pushcart Prize (2007) for "Trillium Woods"
 * Pennsylvania Poet of the Year (2013)
 * Ohioana Book Award for Poetry (2015) for Valerie
 * Lucille Medwick Memorial Award from the Poetry Society of America (2019)

Critics laud his environmental consciousness and transforming personal stories into universal resonance. Semo's works are studied in Appalachian literature courses.

Personal life
Semo resides in Rockwood, Pennsylvania, amid the Laurel Highlands landscape. He is an avid naturalist and environmental advocate.