New Jersey Poet Self-Publishes 5th Book of Poems

Michael Santiago Pagan, a poet based in New Jersey, recently self-published his 5th book of poems - "when you dance with her" - on a website he created for family and friends who want to read his work and monitor his continued development as an author. The website was built by XenoPsi Media, and those interested in reading Pagan's poetry can do so at www.michaelsantiagopagan.com

"Poetry is a refuge - it's my refuge," said Pagan. "This most recent book of poems, 'when you dance with her,' helped me recover from a divorce. As painful as divorce is, it helped me develop as a poet and provided me with a lot of new material. And I was lucky to work with XenoPsi Media in building this website - they treat their clients like family and do incredible work."

Pagan was born in New York City on July 29, 1976 and was raised in Washington Heights until he was 10 years old. In 1986, his family moved to Teaneck, New Jersey. Pagan graduated from Teaneck High School in 1994 and attended Bergen Community College in Paramus, New Jersey before transferring to Temple University in Philadelphia and graduating with a B.A. in Journalism in 1998.

Pagan began writing poetry at an early age but didn't get serious about his writing until high school. He has since authored five books of poems: The Lianas (2001), Andalusia (2003), 1912 (2005), callowhill rose (2012), and when you dance with her (2015).

Pagan has worked as a reporter for the North Jersey Herald News, as a grants writer for the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and as a press secretary for three Speakers of the New Jersey General Assembly, a U.S. Congressman and two U.S. Senators. He currently serves as a public information officer for Bergen County, New Jersey.

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