Portions, Hank Lazer’s fifteenth book of poetry, is his sixth large collection, following The New Spirit (Singing Horse Press, 2005), Elegies & Vacations (Salt Publishing, 2004), Days (Lavender Ink, 2002), 3 of 10 (Chax Press, 1996, and Doublespace: Poems 1971-1989 (Segue, 1992). A noted critic, Lazer’s Lyric & Spirit: Selected Essays, 1996-2008 (Omnidawn Publishing) appeared in 2008. With Charles Bernstein, Lazer edits the Modern and Contemporary Poetics Series for the University of Alabama Press. Lazer is the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs at the University of Alabama. He has lived in Tuscaloosa, Alabama since 1977.