Loren Broaddus

Author

The second book of poetry by Loren Broaddus, published by .406 Press, is best described by E. Ethelbert Miller, writer and literary activist. “Wasn’t Any Maybe So is a book of remembrance and praise. Praise for Newt Allen and the Negro Baseball League. Loren Broaddus writes from “inside” the game as history runs the bases. This poetry collection reads like a memoir filled with extra innings of memory. Broaddus writes not just about Allen and his Kansas City Monarchs but also about a galaxy of other baseball stars. This is a well-crafted book with language that throws, hits, runs, and dances. Jazz and blues cheer from the pages like fans going from ballrooms to ballparks. Broaddus knows that telling Newt Allen’s tale means players of the Negro Baseball League will play once again. Our eyes long to see Allen’s unassisted triple play. Wasn’t Any Maybe So gives us back our sight.” 

His debut poetry collection, Joe DiMaggio Moves Like Liquid Light, was published by Andrews-McMeel Universal in September of 2019, and previously published by a local micro-press, Pencil Box, in April of 2018. He has also written two limited edition chapbooks, The Birthing Tree and Weight. For years, Broaddus has written poetry on the seams of life, on scrap paper, on the backs of hall passes, and in notebooks, inspired by his Drury University English professor, Jo Van Arkel.

Loren earned a master’s degree in History from University of Missouri-Columbia, and from Drury University a master’s in Education and bachelor’s degrees in History and English. He lives with his wife, Marilyn, and their two children - a dancing daughter and a son who plays jazz French horn.