Mike Whitlow

Michael Langford Whitlow’s first book of poetry, Concrete Fields, was published in 2015 and begins in the middle. Born a middle child of three, this collection of poetry uses this middle ground as a center to connect the extreme edges both above and below him in order to make sense of the world by hearing, understanding, and connecting to both places. 

His second published book of poetry, Ferris Wheels, published in 2018, is a search for truth through observations and questions: where interested others might have their own truthful conversations with themselves as they ask those questions that lie just below the surface of what often goes unspoken. 

His latest work: Under My (Black) Skin, is a memoir written as a collection of essays about his experience as a Black man living and growing up in a racially divided America. Ignited by the unjust murder of George Floyd, his reflections and conversations that he is having about his grief, remorse, privilege, humility, anger, and his own curiosity on the matter of his Black life, is at the same time a universal conversation about how we can get through to our humanity.  

Before going back to school to earn a Master’s in English Literature from California State University, Los Angeles, Whitlow was a multiple Award-winning copywriter and creative director for a number of major advertising agencies both in Chicago and Los Angeles. 

He was born and raised on the south side of Chicago, and currently splits his time living in Long Beach, and Idyllwild, California. But considers home to be wherever he can feel most himself. Michael Langford Whitlow is a professor teaching concept development and creative writing in the School of Art at California State University, Long Beach; as well as the Founder & Partner of the largest advertising school on the west coast: The Book Shop School for Ads in LA.

Personal Website: www.mikewhitlowwriter.com