Praise for Evanescent Creature

Shavawn M. Berry’s verse in Evanescent Creature: Poems & Meditations, forges nuanced pathways into ancient themes surrounding both the ubiquitous and hidden nature of the feminine. Her masterfully poised hymns to the cyclical nature of life overflow with possibilities. We witness Berry step into the prophetic role imparted upon her by a Grandmother Spider in one of her poems, and powerfully spin evocative personal narratives, at times laced with delightful didactic panache.

Ironically, there is nothing ephemeral about the effect of reading Berry’s poetry collection, which lingers with the reader long after its ingestion, like scents inhabiting ether on a midsummer night.

An unmistakably dazzling debut!

Catherine L. Schweig, Founder and Director of Journey of the Heart: Women’s Spiritual Poetry Project, Chief Editor, Goddess: When She Rules (Golden Dragonfly Press, 2018)

Berry's voice is savage and mystical and achingly deep. Her words will cut you deep, but then become the very balm to heal your wounds. She is an extraordinary talent and a remarkable poet.

Mitch Smith

In Evanescent Creature, we are invited to share Berry's invocations to memory, reflection, and awareness. Berry's words draw in the senses and nature to give us gentle snapshots of insight. Her verse is delicate, circling the archetypal journey of women, and we feel the relationship with souls that persist, appear, and ponder.

Sarah Amira de la Garza - Southwest Borderlands Scholar at Arizona State University and author of María Speaks Through the Mysteries of the Mother in My Life as a Chicana

Leap without looking. Evanescent Creature is a collection of shiver-inducing poems and meditations that will leave you to ponder, wonder, and marvel as you wander through the almost synesthesia-inducing warm embrace of words. -

Darragha Foster, Author of Love's Second Sight

Praise for The Wonderland Files

“When I first stumbled upon Shavawn's work, I had to take my pulse. I was transported to a world where detail, magic, dreams, and realism played equal, often indistinguishable parts. I knew I was among the great, but I had no idea yet, how great until I got the chance to periodically collaborate with Shavawn and enjoy her writings on Rebelle Society. She has a way of capturing your imagination and turning you from a mere reader or spectator into a lively character or sometimes, even a co-author of her stories -- a way of waking you up and stirring your soul and building a home of words and hope inside it I have rarely experienced. If words were music (and they are) Shavawn would be a genius Word Orchestra Conductor. She writes the symphony and then goes on to play as well as direct all the instruments. I couldn't be more honored and grateful for such an inspiring artistic collaboration and I can only hope that many other artists, dreamers, thinkers, and change-makers get a chance to taste and enjoy Shavawn's work and art."

Andréa Balt, Co-Founder / Editor-in-Chief Rebelle Society & Creative Rehab

"Shavawn's writing is a fusion of poetic word choice and cutting insights. We always look forward to her new pieces on Be You Media, as they resonate with a wide variety of readers, from those interested in spirituality to fellow writers to those looking for a new direction. Her articles are a continual source of inspiration, and we are thrilled to have her as a regular columnist."

Kate Bartolotta, Editor-in-Chief, Be You Media Group

"Falling Into Wonderland advocates for a life built out of grace and love in Shavawn M. Berry's unwavering and passionate voice. Always honest, and sometimes gritty, Shavawn is on a search for the authentic and brings us with her as she explores why this is important and how it’s done. When it’s messy, she unflinchingly reports back. "Let’s stop assuming that the status quo is worth preserving,” she says. And if your life isn’t an authentic construct of love and gratitude, she whispers, get it there, and invites us to drink deeply of the heart's sweet waters. We may be Falling Into Wonderland, but our guide is wise and kind; she never lets us drop."

Melissa I. Hassard, Poet, Writer, Activist, Mother, and Director of Marketing & Partner at Sable Books

"Poignant, often heart-wrenching, Berry's writing draws you in and comforts you, all the while remaining refreshingly raw and 100% authentic."

Lisa Pollman, Art Journalist, Borders, and Bridges

Teaching Awards 

Exemplary Professional E-Portfolio - Celebrating Writing in Digital Spaces, Arizona State University, Department of English - May 2014

Lincoln Ethics Teaching Fellow, 2013, Lincoln Center for Applied Ethics, Arizona State University

Best Pedagogical Practices Writing Programs' Teaching Award, 2009, Arizona State University Writing Programs

Best Pedagogical Practices Writing Programs' Teaching Award, 2008, Arizona State University Writing Programs