About Pens and Poison
Pens and Poison is the unique multi-platform literary project of author and poet Liza Libes that aims to promote literary education and foster appreciation for the written word. Through engaging videos, articles, and podcasts, Pens and Poison has reached over one million literary lovers across the world and continues to draw in new literary lovers on a daily basis. The Pens and Poison project features a dedicated Instagram page for short-form videos, a YouTube channel for long-form videos, and a Spotify podcast for insightful discussion. On Substack, Pens and Poison is a unique platform to follow Liza Libes along her journey to publication, access study guides to monthly Liza’s Book Club reads, dive into analyses of Liza’s favorite poems, and more.
Pens and Poison also aims to restore the idea of literature as a work of art rather than as a political vehicle. As English literature students across American college campuses are increasingly being taught that literary study must necessarily rest on far-left ideologies, fields such as publishing, academia, and journalism have become dominated by ideological extremists who use literature to promote lopsided agendas. Pens and Poison aims to dismantle the idea that literature must necessarily be understood through arbitrary political lenses and strives to refocus literary study on the humanistic tradition.
If you are passionate about the future of literary education and literature as whole, consider becoming a paid subscriber or leaving us a little something below.
About Liza Libes
Liza Libes received her B.A. and M.A. in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University, where she studied the poetry of Sylvia Plath and T.S. Eliot respectively. Shortly after, she founded The Pens and Poison Project to promote the literary arts and to foster appreciation for the written word. In 2024, Liza unveiled Pens and Poison Magazine to provide young poets and writers with a platform for their work.
Liza has published three poetry collections, Broken Weekend, Vintage Lovers, and Illicit Kingdom, and is currently at work on her fourth poetry collection, Girl Soldier. Her work has appeared in Gone Lawn, Persuasion, The American Spectator, Kveller, and elsewhere. Liza is also the Founder and CEO of Invictus Prep, an inventive college consulting startup that highlights Liza’s aptitude for writing and entrepreneurship. When she is not writing, you can find at her favorite bookstore or opera house, perpetually overdressed.
Visit pensandpoison.bio to learn more.
Write for Us
Have an important literary thought? Pens and Poison is excited to hear your pitches. We consider all personal essays and expository pieces relating to literary study, as well as articles on your favorite book, poem, or other literary work. Send us your pitches or full essays to submit@pensandpoison.com. Please keep your essay no longer than 2000 words.
Looking to submit creative writing? Check out our sister publication, Pens and Poison Magazine.
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