my new book is on Amazon

I am delighted to announce that my first book is now available for pre-order on Amazon, which, in today's world, means it is real. It contains the best of my poetry and short stories from 14 years of writing, with illustrations by my talented friend Kate Ramunno-Finney.

Some of my best reading experiences came from reading class in elementary school. Some of those stories have just as much power in my mind now as they did then. Stories for life. That's the experience I hope I can provide to others.


Here's the blog I set up for the book, with blurbs, articles and reviews.

If you are interested in reviewing my book--for a publication, Amazon or even your own blog--contact me now for a galley proof.

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When the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago asked Americans who say they don't read poetry why they don't, one of the main reasons they found is the perception that poetry is difficult and irrelevant.

The appeal of Something Familiar is that these poems and stories are clear storytelling about characters you'll recognize, from life in smalltown America, the farm, to the strange conversations of otherworldly matters heard on the public metro bus.

Back cover

"Kat Ricker has both eye and heart combined with the gift of hearing the unspoken story. At one moment, she magnifies what has been unnoticed, and the next she moves us to the far-reaching implications of the human heart. She reopens our eyes and hearts so we can "be whole once more.""
– Dr. William Boggs, professor, Slippery Rock University, and my favorite poet (Greatest Hits, Pudding House Press)

"Take something familiar and be able to reveal its freshness, take something simple and be able to reveal its subtleties: this is what Kat Ricker does with words that evoke poignant and delicious images and emotions of the everyday and the unfamiliar."
–Dr. Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli, talented poet, Senior Lecturer and Writer, Deakin University, Australia

"Rooted in diverse, down-to-earth experiences, Kat's poetry and stories lift readers to the sky on the wings of her imagination."
– William Marr, past president Illinois State Poetry Society, another severely talented poet (Autumn Window, Arbor Hill Press)