Jason Koo Publishes Fourth Poetry Collection, 'No Rest'

Koo describes "No Rest" as his most ambitious, personal, and experimental work to date. He stated, "Readers can expect funny, irreverent, bitterly honest poems that move much more quickly than they're probably expecting." Koo aimed to ensure that the long poems felt accessible and engaging, mimicking the way the mind flows.

He observed that many readers have reported finishing the book in one sitting, despite its atypical length for a poetry collection. Koo specializes in teaching poetry and creative writing, with a focus on underrepresented writers.

Previously, Koo has published three full-length poetry collections: "More Than Mere Light," "America's Favorite Poem," and "Man on Extremely Small Island," which won the De Novo Poetry Prize and the Asian American Writers' Workshop Members' Choice Award for the best Asian American book of 2009. He is also the author of the chapbook "Sunset Park" and coeditor of the Brooklyn Poets Anthology. His poems have appeared in notable publications, including the American Scholar, Best American Poetry, Missouri Review, and Yale Review.

Koo's literary achievements have garnered accolades, including fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and Vermont Studio Center. He was named one of the "100 Most Influential People in Brooklyn Culture" by Brooklyn Magazine and is the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Brooklyn Poets, as well as the creator of the Bridge, an internationally recognized poetry network connecting poets and mentors.