Happy National Author’s Day! Today, we’re shining a light on Montverde Academy’s own Dr. Cody Smith, a talented poet and dedicated educator in our Upper School English department. For nearly three years, Dr. Smith has inspired our students with his love for language, bringing nearly a decade of teaching experience and a fresh perspective to the classroom.
Dr. Smith’s journey as a writer has taken him from the bayous of Louisiana, where he was born and raised, to the rich, scenic landscapes of Spokane, Washington, and Tallahassee, Florida. Now rooted in Central Florida, he continues to write and teach, balancing the beauty of the natural world with life’s universal themes of loss, hope, and discovery. His first collection, Gulf: Poems, published in 2019, won praise for its vivid storytelling and unique regional insights, capturing experiences of the Gulf Coast with authenticity and reverence.
Recently, Dr. Smith completed a reading of his forthcoming book, River Hymnal, set to be released in early 2025. In this latest work, he masterfully interweaves the rivers and landscapes of Washington, Louisiana, and Florida, allowing each setting to reflect elements of his own journey and emotions. He explores themes of progress, memory, and life’s shifting currents. Evocative and intimate, River Hymnal invites readers to journey with him through places where past and future flow together, shaping his world and ours.
With accolades such as the Mississippi Review Prize and the River Styx International Poetry Prize, Dr. Smith’s work has been published in prestigious journals including Poetry, Prairie Schooner, and The Gettysburg Review. Today, we celebrate not only his achievements as an author but also his dedication to guiding and inspiring young writers at Montverde Academy.
Happy National Author’s Day, Dr. Smith—thank you for your words, wisdom, and the literary legacy you’re creating!
