Welcome to all things
Paul-Newell Reaves
Let me first explain something about my name: Paul-Newell is my first name, a double first name– like MaryBeth, or Cindy Loo. Reaves is my last name, a singular last name– like Superman actor Christopher Reeve, but spelled differently. There was a feud.
In Northern Alabama, where my dad hails from, half the family were rum-runners, the other half Baptist priests. So the one half changed their name from Reeves to Reaves. Whether I’m on the side of the priests or the mobsters is open to myth-making.
But my name is Paul-Newell Reaves. And you may call me Paul-Newell.
Byline:
Paul-Newell Reaves is a poet and ghostwriter from Washington, DC, where he grew up in two Smithsonian museums. He wishes you peace and contentment.
Hire me:
on LinkedIn
Contact Me:
by email pnrenterprizes@gmail.com
Social Media Minimalism:
Instagram: @professor_punk
TikTok: @PaulNewellReaves
The Latest:
Carlos J. Romero has published our nine short stories of his 30-year career as an immigration consultant in Texas. The project humanizes the immigrant experience through the universal language of family drama, while providing concrete and specific legalizing advice. It is available on Amazon.
Sandi Carpenter– Interior Designer and former co-owner of Theodore’s in Glover Park– has jumpstarted our work “Moxie for Interior Design(ers): High-End Furniture, the Washingtonian Elites, and the Inner Strength of Sandi Carpenter,” after a hiatus during the pandemic.
The Slag Review accepted a poem of mine, “Coral Reef” for publication in issue 13 (my lucky number). The publication folded before the issue appeared.
BIO (extended): Paul-Newell Reaves is a poet, ghostwriter and archivist from Washington, DC, where he grew up in two Smithsonian museums. As former owner of a musicians roadie business, he has driven bands as far from the Mid-Atlantic as Miami and Las Vegas. He holds a Masters Degree in English from George Washington University with focuses in Modernist Poetry and Disability Studies, and has been a card carrying member of the National Writers Union since 2015. Although his favorite authors include WB Yeats, Virginia Woolf, Elizabeth Bishop and Bill Watterson, his favorite writers include Lauryn Hill, David Lynch and Bob Dylan. Orange is his favorite color.
Books
Our Hope to the North: True Stories from the Career of an Immigration Consultant. Self-Published by Carlos J. Romero, 2025 (ghostwritten with Carlos J. Romero).
The Pre-Wedding Saga of Eliza Polk Dillon and Robert Scott Spilman, from the Lisa Sutphin Family Letters Collection. Self Published by Agatha Barclay, 2025 (collection).
“Psychodynamic Client Perspective” Routledge, 2018. (chapter).
Published Critical Works:
“Turn Off Shuffle: Concept Albums Explained” (ongoing series), Defenestrationism.net, 2022-2023
- “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” by Lauryn Hill
- “Highway 61, Revisited” by Bob Dylan
- “Berlin” by Lou Reed
- more
“Privacy Snacks” ghostwritten with Rahshia Sawyer, LinkedIn.com, February-March, 2022.
“Finding Beauty Amongst the Chaos of Change” in three parts, ghostwritten with Rahshia Sawyer, Medium.com, February 2021.
“Dispatch from Gettysburg– January, 2021“, Defenestrationism.net, 2021
“Six Tips for Brand Growing || Brand Growing as Personal Improvement” Suvi’sJournalism, November 23rd, 2020.
“The Art of Sustaining a Still Popular Website in an Age of Social Media“, Defenestrationism.net, 2019
“Lengthy Poem Talk” given at the National Writers’ Union District of Columbia Chapter, April 26th, 2020
“Meanings in Madness: a mental disability studies reading of Ezra Pound’s ‘Pisan Cantos’” Refworks, 2016.
“Albums as Texts” bi-weekly column, chamberfour.com , 2013-2014.
Published Poems:
“Knowing from a Venezuelan Madhouse” Stone of Madness Press, November, 2020.
“Coral Reef” Slag Review, accepted.
“A Lamppost Named Mark” Defenestrationism.net , 2020.
“Skulls and Dice” Dirty Chai Magazine, January 2015.
Enjoy a republication:
“Another Love Away” defenestrationism.net , 2013.
“Black Hood” misfitsmiscellaneous.wordpress.blogspot.com , 2011.
“Five Gin Gimlets” thegimletmagazine.com , 2010.
Internet Radio:
“The Lyricists’ Watch Hour:” Cruddy Rite Radio, 2014 – 2019.
Twice weekly I examine the lyrics of full albums as literary texts. After the first three season, the 2017-18 season is all concept albums. 2018-19 season features Bob Dylan albums. 2019-20 season focuses on albums from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, especially those released by the record label Draztik Measurez.
Lyricists’ Watch talks Bob Dylan’s “Blonde on Blonde”
Lyricists’ Watch talks Metrorail “Live at the Mambo Room”
more fine lit’rature of all types on Defenestrationism.net
Defenestrationism.net Masthead
Books and Bona-fides