Diane Sahms
Diane Sahms (formerly Sahms-Guarnieri) is a native Philadelphian, having grown up in Roxborough & Manayunk (Northwest); lived a short time in South Philly; and has spent the majority of her life living in Lawndale (Northeast).
1. She has authored nine works of published poetry: seven full-length collections and two chapbooks.See links to ALL her book on the "HOME" page &/or on the "Books" page.Reviews of books and "What others say..." can also be found on "Books" page.
2. A list of acknowledgments of her published online and/or print poems are listed below under Publications.
3. She has performed her poetry at venues along the east coast of the United States from Boston, Massachusettsto Richmond, Virginia and west to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. See the Reading Schedule tab on her HOME PAGE.Below are links to Diane's Interviews
4. Like poets Whitman, Stevens & Williams before her, she too, has been fated to write poetry while working a full-time job. Somehow, she has found the time over the decades to volunteer in her community by spreading the art of poetry in the Philadelphia area. See Education/Work Experience & Community (Volunteer) Service below. She is currently the Poetry Editor at North of Oxford
New Book Reviews: -of an octopus: an archite|x|tural awareness of words
April 2026 by John Zheng in
Verse-Virtual Click Review here
Feb. 3, 2026 by Charles Rammelkamp in
London Grip Poetry Review. Click Review here
PUBLICATIONS, print &/or online
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Poems
North American Review - University of Iowa; Brushfire Literature & Arts Journal - University of Nevada;
Chiron Review; Sequestrum Journal of Literature & Arts - Iowa; Valley Voices: A Literary Review - University of Mississippi. The New Verse News; The Philadelphia Inquirer;Pennsylvania Literary Journal; Folio; The Fox Chase Review; Many Mountains Moving - Colorado; Philadelphia Stories; Indiana Voice Journal; Mid-West Cultural Council; The Mad Poets Review; Limited Editions - CCP; The Camel Saloon; The Northern Liberties Review; The Mascara Review; Dead Snakes; Blast Furnace; Oddball Magazine - Boston, MA; RiverLit - Spokane, WA; The Levittown Leader; Blue Collar Review - Norfolk, VA; Plum Tree Tavern; Autumn Sky Poetry;Wilderness House Literary Review - Boston, MA; Eleventh Transmission - Canada; 34th Parallel Magazine - Paris; The A3 Review - UK; The Southern Ocean Review; The Blue Heron Review; Canary; The Ibis Head Review; JONAH Magazine;Picking Up Glitter; The Write Launch; The Moving Force; Coffin Bell; Coronavirus Chronicles; Yellow Mama Magazine; Eclectica Magazine-Runner Up Prize; The Northern Virginia Review; Tiny Seed Literary Journal, Pollinator Project; Nine Cloud Journal; The New Purlieu Review;The Pangolin Review - UK; Poetry and Covid - UK, University of Plymouth and Nottingham Trent University; The Stray Branch; Poetry X Hunger; Passager Pandemic Diaries; POEMS-FOR-ALL; Partisan Press - Winner of Working People's Poetry Competition for "Absence;"
The Green Shoe Sanctuary; Home Planet News; Alien Buddha Zine No. 50 & Tiny Seed Literary Journal, Wildflower Project; Arlington Literary Journal; Viewless Wings; addanomadd; Grey Sparrow Journal; Arts on the Trail 2025: Number 9 chapbook; Valley Voices; #Ranger; Amsterdam Review; Abstract Magazine TV;The Five-Two; & The Zen Space
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Anthologies
Poems forthcoming from The Poet's Press. Here There Be Lions Poetry Anthology, 2026, &
First Friday's Platinum Anthology, 2026,
The Zen Space Anthology: Literacy Showcase, July 2026
Showcase Clare Songbirds House Anthology, 2026
Wingless Dreamer Press: Echoes of T.S. Eliot.
Tiny Seed Literary Journal's Poetry of the Wildflowers Anthology, 2023
Alien Buddha Press: The Alien Buddha Gets a REAL Job Anthology, 2023.
Moonstone Press. HOPE 2022 & 2021 Featured Anthology.
Train River Anthology.
Wingless Dreamer Press. Fruits of Our Quarantine, an anthology written during COVID-19.
Transcendent Zero Press. Selfhood: Varieties of Experience-an anthology for the faint of heart.
Philadelphia Stories Inc. The Best of Philadelphia Stories.
Moonstone Press. Poetry Ink & Philadelphia Says Women Are Voting.
Genre:Urban Arts Press. Genre: Urban Arts No. 9: Urban Arts Signature.
INTERVIEWS
2023, Television Interview, Philly Loves Poetry
Moonstone Arts presents poetry and discussion
with Host Charles S. Carr and Diane Sahms
2023, Featured Artist Interview
Alien Buddha Press
2023, Interview by Tom Waring
Spreading the love of poetry
Northeast Times
2020, Interview by Megan Milligan
Poet captures the essence of 2020 in new book
Northeast Times
2019, Contributor Spotlight
Sequestrum Journal of Literature & Art
2018, Television Interview
YouTube Conducted by Marilyn Klimcho on the Poets' Pause program broadcast on BCTV.
2020, Interview by Logan Krum
Finding truth through poetry
Northeast Times
2018, Featured Author
The Blue Heron Speaks
2016, Interview by Lynn Fanok
The Interview Room
2013, Interview by The Fox Chase Review: Ten Questions
The Fox Chase Review
EDUCATION/WORK EXPERIENCE
Diane is a graduate of East Stroudsburg University (B.S.) GPA 3.57.
From 1982-86 she worked as a Contract Specialist.
In the late 80s, into the late 90s she was a stay at home mom with her three children.
In 1999, she enrolled in graduate work at Holy Family University (HFU) GPA 4.0,
which led to an English Secondary Education Teaching Certification.
While completing post-graduate work at HFU, she also attended & completed courses at Community College
of Philadelphia (CCP) GPA 4.0, while substitute teaching for the Philadelphia School District.
Once certified she taught high school English/Poetry at Council Rock (North & South) & at Cheltenham High Schools.
From March 2008-2016, she worked as a Contract Specialist (pre & post-award & contract closeouts).
In 2016-present, she works as a Purchasing Agent.
COMMUNITY (Volunteer) SERVICE, Philadelphia
Poetry Editor
Diane is currently Poetry Editor of North of Oxford (2016 - presently).
& currently in 2023 cohosts Second Wednesdays' Reading Series & open mic at the Northeast Regional Library.
She has served as Poetry Editor of The Fox Chase Review (2009-15);
served on the Editorial Board of the Philadelphia Stories magazine (2006-08); and
served as Student Editor for Limited Editions at Community College of Philadelphia (2000-03)
& Folio at Holy Family University (2000)
Cohost, Host, Assistant & Other
Cohosted The Fox Chase Reading Series at Three Sisters Corner Cafe (2008-11) and at
Ryerss Museum and Library (2011-15);
Hosted The Fox Chase Reading Series 2nd Tuesdays Poetry Open Mic (2009-11);
Hosted Poets at Pennypack at Pennypack Environmental & Nature Center (2014);
Hosted Poets in the Park at Lions Park (2010, 2011, & 2014);
Hosted The Center City Poets Workshop at the former Borders Bookstore (2006-11);
Assisted with Poets on the Porch (2010-15);
Created, published, and distributed "the broadside series" (2013-15).
Poet in Residence
Served as Poet in Residence at Ryerss Museum & Library (2013-15).
Workshop Leader
Delaware & Pennsylvania:Tenth Muse Poetry Workshop Leader (2012-15).
5. Lastly, Diane has received several awards for her poetry as listed below and she has written several book reviews, which a sampling of their titles with their respective links are also listed below.
If interested, on the HOME PAGE check out her YOUTUBE tab & her Workshop and Poet-in-Residence
tabs, which contains information about her past leadership commitments as both Workshop Leader and Poet-in-Residence.
AWARDS
Partisan Press Winner of the Working People's Poetry Competition for poem, Absence, 2015.
Recipient of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania/The House of Representatives Citation, 2014.
Community College of Philadelphia - Two Time Winner of Judith Stark's Poetry Competition.
Philadelphia Writer's Conference - Second Place in the Poetry Competition for poem, Lily.
Pennsylvania State Citation: Awarded for over a decade of community volunteerism
in the promotion of the art of poetry in Philadelphia, July 2014. See article
AEVentures Foundation Grant for Poetry, 2013.
SAMPLING OF BOOK REVIEWS
Poetry Book Reviews, written by Diane, a sampling
Eternal Sentences by Michael McGriff
The Damages of Morning by J.C. Todd
A SORT OF ADAM INFANT DROPPED: TRUE MYTHS by Scott Yarbrough
Amber Necklace from Gdansk by Linda Name-Foster
Strike Sparks: Selected Poems, 1980-2002 by Sharon Olds
The Niagara River by Kay Ryan
LUMIA by Nick Admussen
To read current book reviews of prose & poetry visit North of Oxford
Listed at Poets & Writers
Contact
Contact Diane at: diane.guanieri@yahoo.com OR diane.sahms.guarnieri@gmail.com