Body, Burn Slowly Poetry Book Release

Body, Burn Slowly Poetry Book Release
October 29-30, 2026
Hyde Park Theatre 

Please join us at the legendary Hyde Park Theatre for a two-night celebration of the release of Suzanne La Follette’s new book of poetry, Body, Burn Slowly. 

La Follette served Austin as a firefighter for two decades, performed as a finalist on the National Poetry Slam stage, and earned her MFA in poetry and non-fiction at Antioch University. Her new book — presented by Write Bloody Publishing — confronts the physical and emotional residue of emergency work, the inequities faced by women in traditionally male institutions, and the strange recalibration of a life suddenly measured against time.

This event brings La Follette and her talented friends together for two nights of poetry and comedy. Comedic touring poet and founder of Write Bloody Publishing Derrick Brown will read poems at both shows. Nikki Da Vaughn, an Austin-born host tested on everything from podcasts to burlesque, will emcee both nights.

Each performance will also feature special guest poets. On Thursday night, Austin Poetry Slam founder and Hyde Park Theatre company member Mike Henry will perform his own poems along with Bree Bailey, Texan Latine badass mom and Write Bloody author of Wailing on Whisper Street. Friday night’s lineup welcomes our favorite Assistant Principal and former Austin Slammaster, Tova Charles, along with critically-acclaimed author and international touring interdisciplinary artivist Ebony Stewart, and a Chief in the Austin Fire Department and author of two poetry books (including the recent Easy Listening), Tim Krcmarik. 

Copies of Body, Burn Slowly will be on sale at both shows and available for signing by the author. Box office opens at 7 pm each night for an 8 pm curtain time.