Valois J Vera
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criplyrical.bsky.social
Valois J Vera
@criplyrical.bsky.social
83 followers 91 following 71 posts
Disabled Diasporican. Poet. Activist. Author. He/They
📖 "Love, Liberation, and OtherLongings" (Read or Green Books, 2024)
https://linktr.ee/ValoisVera
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criplyrical.bsky.social
April 10, 2025 at 3:16 AM
criplyrical.bsky.social
April 1, 2025 at 11:36 PM
criplyrical.bsky.social
"My Words, My Voice:" A generative and interactive workshop space designed to explore, discuss, and create poetry as a tool for reclaiming and proclaiming agency, narrative, and power. 

Thursday, April 17, 4pm CDT
UNT Center for Belonging and Engagement, Union 335 (in person)

All are welcome!
March 26, 2025 at 11:56 PM
criplyrical.bsky.social
If you're in the Denton area tomorrow (Saturday, March 22), stop by the Indie Author Festival at the legendary @patchoulijoes ... I'll be there with all three of my books + some free goodies.

I will be offering my collections for significantly reduced prices, so come by and say hello.
March 22, 2025 at 12:49 AM
criplyrical.bsky.social
PUSHCART PRIZE NOMINATION

"Sing Me a Broken Song" speaks to the beauty and resilience of our community... it is a call to all Disabled people to continue to push forward.

I am honored to receive this Pushcart Prize Nomination and thrilled that THIS is the poem that garnered the recognition.
November 25, 2024 at 12:06 AM
criplyrical.bsky.social
Hi! I am a Disabled, Puerto Rican Poet, Author, and Cultural Worker out of so-called TX. I'm looking to connect with like-minded poets + activists + disruptors.
Valois, a power wheelchair user, sits in front of a banner that reads boldly.
November 13, 2024 at 10:27 PM
criplyrical.bsky.social
Calling all DISRUPTORS! Meet us at We, the People: a virtual rally featuring movement workers who will inform and provide calls to action, poets who will recite/perform poetic medicine, and an artist painting live!

Sat Oct 12
3pm CDT
Register in advance
bit.ly/TheVirtualRa...

Come through!
On a tan and brown background, text reads "We, the People! A virtual rally & Community space. Sat. October 12, 3pm CDT Via Zoom. Featuring presentations, calls to action, poetry, live painting, and collective community." Text and logos for Thunder and Lightning Poetry Collective, Art Spark Texas, and Coalition of Texans with Disabilities appears next to a QR code. Clip art of three individuals protesting.
October 7, 2024 at 10:32 PM
criplyrical.bsky.social
Join us for the release of my third poetry collection “Love, Liberation, and Other Longings.”

Saturday night (September 21), 8pm Eastern Daylight Time, via Zoom (access link:
us02web.zoom.us/j/8622049805...

Meeting ID: 862 2049 8050
Passcode: 344153

Come through for a night of poetry!
September 19, 2024 at 11:41 PM
criplyrical.bsky.social
Bluesky now has over 10 million users, and I was #957,947
A virtual certificate with text "Celebrating 10M users on Bluesky, #957,947, Valois J Vera ‪@criplyrical.bsky.social‬, joined on Sep 11, 2023"
September 19, 2024 at 7:32 PM
criplyrical.bsky.social
Writing the Revolution is a generative, interactive space designed to explore, discuss, and create poetry as a tool for political and social justice.

Join us on Weds, Aug 28, 7pm CDT via Zoom

Register to attend here:
bit.ly/WRITINGTHERE...

ALL poets, writers, creatives, and disruptors welcomed.
ALT TEXT: On top of a gray background are three images. On the far left is a picture of Val Vera in color. There is a transparent raised fist in the middle and a transparent cityscape on the right. The heading of the flyer is Writing the Revolution in blue font. Below is the date and time, Wednesday, August 28 from 7:00pm-8:00pm CST. Hosted by Crip Lyrical is in white font ahead of a blue banner. Another blue banner runs along the bottom reading: register at https://bit.ly/WRITINGTHEREVOLUTION. Contact: thunderandlightningpoetry@gmail.com and three logos of Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, AptSpark Texas, and Thunder and Lightning Poetry Collective exist between the banners.
August 26, 2024 at 4:51 AM
criplyrical.bsky.social
Disability Pride Month is about taking up space, creating space, making noise, and being seen. Occupy Disability Pride Month! #DisabilityPrideMonth
On a grey/black background, large grey text reads OCCUPY; smaller grey/black text reads DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH.
July 1, 2024 at 2:15 AM
criplyrical.bsky.social
An offering to the lovers, disruptors, and imposters.

I am excited to share that my third poetry collection, "Love, Liberation, and Other Longings," is now available for pre-order!

Reserve your signed copy here bit.ly/ValoisVeraPoet…
On a wood toned background, a black ink pressed image of Valois occupies most of the cover. Stenciled, wood toned text reads "Love, Liberation, and Other Longings." At the bottom, red text reads "poems by Valois J. Vera."
June 22, 2024 at 3:44 AM
criplyrical.bsky.social
Join me in celebrating the release of my upcoming book, "Love, Liberation, and Other Longings"

Saturday, July 13
Doors 6pm
Show 7pm
At John Bramblitt's Yellow Dog Art Bar & Gallery

Visit bit.ly/aPoetryJam for details
a flyer that reads "A POETRY JAM. Celebrating the release of Love, Liberation, and Other Longings. Saturday July 13. Doors 6pm, Show 7pm. Brambitt's Yellow Dog Art Bar and Gallery 21o E. Hickory St Denton, TX. Featuring Poet and Author Valois J Vera. Also Performimg: Roses, Mel Finefrock, Jennifer Wang. Special Guest Emcee, Suietko Zamorano-Chavez." Logos for Thunder and Lightning Poetry Collective, Yellow Dog Art Bar, and a QR Code are at the bottom. An image of the book cover is to the left.
June 18, 2024 at 10:39 PM
criplyrical.bsky.social
I facilitate this monthly virtual writing workshop that focuses on poetry as protest. It's a community space for all, including you... Come through!
Weds. June 26, 7pm CDT
Register here bit.ly/WRITINGTHEREVO…
On a yellow background is three images. On the far left is a picture of Valois. There is a transparent raised fist in the middle and a transparent city scape. The heading of the flyer is Writing the Revolution in black font. Below is the date and time, June 26 from 7:00pm-8:00pm CST. Hosted by Crip Lyrical is in yellow. A yellow banner runs along the bottom reading: register at https://bit.ly/WRITINGTHEREVOLUTION. Contact: thunderandlightningpoetry@gmail.com and three logos of Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, ArtSpark Texas, and Thunder and Lightning Poetry Collective exist between the banners.
June 18, 2024 at 10:11 PM
criplyrical.bsky.social
New book news... stay tuned.

#poet #spokenwordartist #puertoricanpoet #disabledpoet #disabledauthor #indieauthor #newbook #book #bookrelease #poetrybook
Valois is sitting behind a laptop. The lower half of his face is covered by the laptop. The upper half of his face is visible. They are wearing glasses and a fedora. A bookcase and portraits on a wall are in the background.
June 9, 2024 at 7:34 AM
criplyrical.bsky.social
I facilitate this monthly virtual writing workshop that focuses on poetry as protest. It's a community space for all, including you... Come through!
Weds. May 29, 7pm CDT
Register here bit.ly/WRITINGTHERE...
On top of a gray background are three images. On the far left is a picture of Val Vera in color. There is a transparent raised fist in the middle and a transparent cityscape on the right. The heading of the flyer is Writing the Revolution in orange font. Below is the date and time, May 29 from 7:00pm-8:00pm CST. Hosted by Crip Lyrical is in white font ahead of an orange banner. Another orange banner runs along the bottom reading: register at https://bit.ly/WRITINGTHEREVOLUTION. Contact: thunderandlightningpoetry@gmail.com and three logos of Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, AptSpark Texas, and Thunder and Lightning Poetry Collective exist between the banners.
May 29, 2024 at 12:32 AM
criplyrical.bsky.social
poet face.
A close up of Valois reciting poetry into a microphone. He is looking directly at the camera.
May 23, 2024 at 1:32 AM
criplyrical.bsky.social
#Dallas #FortWorth #DFW
OCCUPY WHITENESS: THE BOOK TOUR will feature a live performance and reading by National Poetry Slam Finalist, Grand Slam Spoken Word Champion, Poet, Author, and Educator, Joaquin Zihuatanejo... Come through!

bit.ly/OccupyWhitenes… #poetryry
April 27, 2024 at 5:14 AM
criplyrical.bsky.social
Let's Write the Revolution!

Writing the Revolution is a generative, interactive space designed to explore, discuss, and create poetry as a tool for political and social justice.

Weds, April 24, 7pm CDT via Zoom

Register to attend:
bit.ly/WRITINGTHEREVO…

FREE + OPEN TO ALL
On a grey and red background, text reads: Thunder and Lightning Poetry Collective Presents, Writing The Revolution, Wednesday April 24, Zoom 7-8 PM CDT, Hosted by Crip Lyrical, Contact: thunderlightningpoetry@gmail.com, Register: https://bit.ly/WRITINGTHEREVOLUTION A photo of Valois is to the left, while the logos of Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, Art Spark Texas, and Thunder and Lightning Poetry Collective are below and to the right.
April 17, 2024 at 11:37 PM
criplyrical.bsky.social
"Zine for Palestine" features art + poetry that speaks to the genocide & occupation of Palestine.

We are offering this zine as a FREE download. bit.ly/PalestinePoe...

Download, read, donate if you can, and share.
#zine #zineforpalestine #freepalestine #art #poetry
An artist's rendition of two Palestinian flags being waved amidst a crowd of people. The capital building is in the background. The Thunder and Lightning Poetry Collective logo with text in while is at the top.
April 9, 2024 at 6:06 AM
criplyrical.bsky.social
SAVE THE DATE

OCCUPY WHITENESS: THE BOOK TOUR (DENTON, TX) will featuring a live performance/reading from by National Poetry Slam Finalist, Grand Slam Spoken Word Champion, Poet, Author, &;Educator, Joaquin Zihuatanejo

Details
bit.ly/OccupyWhiten...

#nationalpoetrymonth
April 1, 2024 at 8:02 AM
criplyrical.bsky.social
Celebrate World Poetry Day with us!

Thursday, March 21
7:30 pm CDT
Via Zoom
Register to attend: bit.ly/storm-the-mic
On a tan and partial black and white background, text reads: Thunder & Lightning Poetry Collective Storm The Mic March 21 @730 pm CDT. Register here: https://bit.ly/storm-the-mic. The logo for Thunder and Lightning Poetry Collective is to the upper left, logos for Coalition of Texans with Disabilities and Art Spark Texas are at the bottom right as well as a QR Code. Three photos appear across the center. To the left, a head-shot of Suietko Z C (Featured Artist). To the center, a black and white head-shot of Crip Lyrical (Hosr). To the right, a head-shot of Urayoán Noel (Host). At the bottom, text reads thunderandlightningpoetry@gmail.com
March 12, 2024 at 4:59 AM
criplyrical.bsky.social
Denton: I will be at the Patchouli Joe's Independent Author Festival tomorrow (Saturday, March 9), 12pm-5pm at Patchouli Joe's Books and Indulgences (221 W. Hickory St - Denton). I'll have signed copies of my books + some swag. Come through, say hi, and buy some books 📚
#books #indieauthor #poetry
March 9, 2024 at 12:04 AM
criplyrical.bsky.social
If the flicker of a flame can illuminate darkness, imagine what poetry can do...

Slgned copies of I, THE REVOLUTION are now available! Message me here or at valverawrites@gmail.com for details.

#ItheRevolution
#book #Poetry #liberation #resistance #BIPOC #Queer #Disabled #activist #IndieAuthor
The book "I, The Revolution" stands on a table next to a wooden tray of candles. Framed photo prints are in the background.
December 2, 2023 at 4:09 AM
criplyrical.bsky.social
The civil rights of Disabled people are afforded to us as long as those rights are "readily achievable" and do not cause "undue hardships"... because capitalism.
A black and white photo of Valois, a power wheelchair user. Black text reads "Our civil rights law was designed to accommodate Capitalism, not our Disabilities. Valois J Vera"
November 3, 2023 at 2:09 AM