
Love, Sex and 4-H

Uncoded Woman: Poems

Pulling Down the Barn: Essays on Growing Up in Rural Michigan

House of Fields: Memories of a Rural Education

American Map: Essays

The Lake Michigan Mermaid | A Tale in Poems
It was a privilege to listen to Oomen perform some of her literary works. Upon introduction, I was instantly in awe. Her voice was genuine, and she relayed so much passion through her writings.
Oomen read from her memoir Love, Sex, and 4H.” I liked how she used specific voices within her literature and during her performance. Each author has a “voice”, yet Oomen clearly has many; one for each character. Her inflections and silent pauses presented as if she was reading each piece like a poem.
Also, in my Creative Writing class, we have read “From a High Place” and “Keep Clear of Me.” Both I fell in love with their prose. Through her writings which express a humble and poetic outlook, Anne-Marie Oomen has inspired me to continue to write. I cannot be more grateful.
- Sara Gehan
Anne-Marie Oomen is the consummate professional whether she's leading a college level workshop or giving a wonderful reading of her own stunning work. She connects with her audience in the most tangible way-- with all five senses engaged in a unique dialogue between the written and spoken word.
- Linda Nemec Foster
Her beautiful language and elegant images lead us to a clarified sense of our yearning to belong—to a people and to a place.
- Debra Gwartney
Not many teachers of writing bring the kind of intelligence, compassion, creativity, and sense of fun to the classroom that Anne-Marie Oomen has to offer. As a director of an MFA program and as a writer myself, I am repeatedly awed by the way Anne-Marie brings out the best in her students, leading them down paths they didn’t even know existed inside them. Every time I have a chance to take an Oomen class, I do, and come out a better writer for the experience.
- Meg Kearney
ANNE-MARIE OOMEN
AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR