User:Creativesahib/sandbox/Charles P. Ries

Charles P. Ries Charles P Ries (born 1952) is an American poet and writer. Ries is currently the Senior Director of Development Design and Innovation at Marquette University, Wisconsin. He is a founding member of the Lake Shore Surf Club on the Great Lakes and is a third degree Reiki healer.

Early Life Ries was born in a devout catholic family to Leo and Ann Ries. He has six siblings and grew up on a mink farm just outside of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He had a religious upbringing which later strongly influenced his personal life and his style of writing. Ries attended South High School and received his degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

After graduation, Ries went to London and then to North Africa where he studied mysticism and Sufism. He also worked with the Dalai Lama during a program involving religious leaders and psychotherapists.

Literary works Ries began writing later in his life. His initial literary work was poetry; he gradually began writing short stories, poetry reviews, interviews, articles and essays. Ries has authored six poetry books and two novels. In 2013, his book titled ‘Girl Friend & Other Mysteries of Love’ (Alternating Current Press) was recognized as an Outstanding Achievement by the Wisconsin Library Association Awards Committee. Since 1998 to 2013, his works have been published in the independent small press and in over two hundred print and electronic publications. In 2009, he took a hiatus and resumed his literary work later in 2013.

In 2015, Ries published The Fathers We Find, a fictional memoir, based in Southeastern Wisconsin between 1950 and 1971. It is available as an e-book on Amazon and has been well received by readers.

Awards and Recognitions

In 2009, Ries was awarded the Wisconsin Regional Writers Association “Jade Ring” Award for humorous poetry. He was nominated five times for the Pushcart Prize but never won. He is the former poetry editor for Word Riot, ESC! and Pass Port Journal. He is also a former board member of the Woodland Pattern Book Center, Milwaukee. Ries also served on the Wisconsin Poet Laureate Commission.