Meet Kevin Foote | Author & Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kevin Foote and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kevin, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
Much of my book was written near or within bodies of water. Spots like Clear Creek, Bear Creek, and Tarryall, but also my bathtub. That became my mantra during the most disregulating and uncertain times of my life: to find my river, each day, and be content with what it looks like in reality. It’s five minutes of quiet in the copy room. It a minute in the walk in freezer. It’s two songs time of driving the block . It’s thirty seconds to breathe at your desk before responding to an email. Carving out time to center myself has been invaluable!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Cabin Pressure is my forthcoming book of poems, released through South Broadway Press. No matter the scope of the topic of the tone it places on the reader, this book is anchored in my lived experiences as a cl*ssroom teacher of 15 years.

I’m so excited to be represented by them. In a world of AI chatbots and LinkedIn/Submittable crapshoots, having the 1:1 feedback and support from a publisher here in Denver is phenomenal. Come grab a pint and a copy of the book at my launch party, September 23, at Lady Justice Brewing, at 6:00! This queer and woman owned spot has supported local writers for years, and directly supported me in every season. Also, glittery beers, come on!

I’ve reached this point professionally through the balance of following my intuition and remaining adventurously vulnerable in community. My poems sound, and read, like me, in the truest forms, some only when they were written, others still reflecting me now. My writing has refined because of that dedication I put into what I envision. With that said, I am not an island, and my writing would plateau if not for the mix of professional, academic, and simply unique writers I’ve gotten to know and even call dear friends over the last several years. Going to writing workshops at Goldspot Brewery, talking together after open mic readings at Mutiny Cafe, just circling up over chips and fizzy waters around a living room and discussing editing options over a shared doc, these little moments have honed my craft!

These moments made me more myself. Denver is changing and growing rapidly and it’s easy for folks to feel adrift at times. It was not easy, but the difference is that the hard parts felt good. Finding that balance between intuition and collaboration feels good. There’s resistance, there’s rigor, there’s love. I need all three to thrive!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Another joy of mine is food & beverage writing throughout Colorado, so I love this question! Ah! Where do I begin?

I deeply care about the process of production. Before it’s on my plate or in my glass, what happened behind the scenes? If given a week, the first point of order would be farther east than expected. Depending on the time of the year, we’d go branding out at Lazy Acre Ranch in Otis. They’d also give us a tour of their processing facility to show how steers are handled and turned into the highest quality cuts.The faint of heart can just go hang back and feed treats to Fiona, one of the pet Highland cows. We’d have a huge BBQ with the best beef in Colorado, sip local brews from spots like Lady J, Goldspot, and Green Mountain Brewing to name a few. At night, we’d p*ss around the honey aged straight malt whiskey from Spirit Hound Distillery. What they’re doing in world of whiskies is inspiring and in a league it’s own. Also, damn, we’d have to bring their strawberry basil gin if it’s hot out. 200 pounds of basil and strawberries went into it and it’s insane. I’d have it neat, chilled, or a little fizz on top but that’s all it needs.

At all times, we’d blast 90’s country, Chappell Roan, Hayley Williams, and Tyler Childers. No Taylor Swift.

We’d support businesses whose staff defends the rights of our undocumented and mixed-status neighbors, colleagues, and families. Spots like Guatemalan owned and woman owned Convivio Cafe, Semiprecious, and MAKfam (among too many to list in one article), wrapping up at Sap Sua, one of the finest meals I’ve had in my life, led by an amazing team.
We’d have a martini wherever Molly Martin tells us to.
We’d go to a poetry reading down the street at Hooked on Colfax, and go see a show at Ogden or Bluebird. We’d go trail running in Evergreen. We’d karaoke at Tavern on 26th.
We’d support local farmers on a Saturday market.
We’d do the cheese pull at Mukja food truck. The record is 15’4”, can you beat it?

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
To every teacher who put up with me and supported me in the formative years. To every professor who fought back against the homophobic student & staff contract at the College I attended. To the Colorado creative friends who work with me in this season of my life, THANK YOU!

Website: https://southbroadwaypress.org/

Instagram: feastsonfoote

Other: These are optional hyperlinks to add for my last response. All Instagram handles. @the.lazybutcher @mukjafoodtruck @sapsuarestaurant @makfamdenver @semipreciousdrinks @convivo_cafe_co @greenmountainbeer @ladyjusticebrewing

Image Credits
All images are by Richard Fusillo (Instagram @fusillofoto)