Elvis Alves is the author of four full length collections of poetry and three chapbooks. His book I Am No Battlefield But A Forest Of Trees Growing (2018) was awarded the Jacopone Da Todi Poetry Prize sponsored by Franciscan University, Steubenville, Ohio. Bitter Melon was published in 2013 and Blackfish was published in 2022. His latest book is Exile Is Home (2025). Poetry Magazine featured Elvis’s poem, Parchman Prison, in its February 2021 issue on mass incarceration in America. Elvis’s poetry has appeared in Transition, Sojourners, Caribbean Writer Journal, and other publications. Elvis also writes for the Good Men Project, an online site that calls attention to pertinent issues affecting our society and world and that seeks to redress these issues. In 2025, he was a finalist for the Poetic Justice Institute Editor’s Prize (Fordham University).
Elvis Alves was born in Guyana and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He holds degrees from Colgate University and Princeton Theological Seminary.
Books
Bitter Melon (2013), Ota Benga (2017), I Am No Battlefield But A Forest Of Trees Growing (2018), Black/White: We are Not Panic (Pandemic) Free (2020), Blackfish (2022), This Is What I know (2023). Exile Is Home (2025).
About
Book cover of 'Blackfish' by Elvis Alves featuring an abstract black ink watercolor splash on white background, with the title and author's name at the bottom right.
Three books are partially visible, with the middle book titled 'Blackfish' by Elvis Alves showing a cover illustration of black ink swirling like a fish against a white background.
Book cover for 'Backyard Tent' by Elvis Alves with bold black and white text.
Abstract illustration with three orange and yellow oval shapes on a blue background, a large black and yellow creature, and the text 'OTA BENGA' and 'ELVIS ALVES'
Abstract swirling black ink resembling a blackfish with flowing fins.
Poster for a Caribbean Poets in PLG event featuring Elvis Alves presenting Blackfish with Cheryl Boyce-Taylor and Keisha-Gaye Anderson, scheduled for Monday, July 25, at 7:30 PM ET, live on Flatbush Avenue. The poster includes photos of Elvis Alves, Cheryl Boyce-Taylor, and Keisha-Gaye Anderson, with a book cover of Blackfish.
A decorative archway with painted red and gold artwork beside it, overlooking a beach and the ocean under a blue sky.
Close-up of printed text on a black background. The visible part reads: 'That to the negro is the New World if he is not free?'.
Book cover titled "Exile is Home" by Elvis Alves, featuring black and brown game pieces on a reflective surface, with a quote from Michelle Reale about Brooklyn and a light-colored background.
Book cover for 'Exile is Home' by Elvis Alves, featuring a light green background with chess pawns and the title in bold black letters
A book cover titled "Exile is Home" by Elvis Alves. The cover has a light green background with brown and blue game pieces and a quote from Michelle Reale. The bottom left contains publishing information, a QR code, and a black oval with a discount offer. There is a photograph of the author, Elvis Alves, in the bottom right corner.
Event poster for an author talk featuring Elvis Alves and Keisha-Gaye Anderson. The poster includes a photo of Elvis Alves, a book titled "Exile is Home" by Elvis Alves, and a photo of Keisha-Gaye Anderson. The event is scheduled for September 12, 2025, at 7:00 PM at Cafe con Libros, Brooklyn, NY 11216.
A promotional poster featuring a close-up photo of a man with dreadlocks and a beard, with the name Elvis Alves written across in large teal letters. To the right, there is an image of a book cover titled "Exile is Home" by Elvis Alves, with a chess theme, and event details indicating a launch event on August 21 at 7:30 PM at Greenlight.
Two people smile and pose together in front of a brick wall, with birthday balloons in the background.
Event poster for an author talk with Elvis Alves and Keisha-Gaye Anderson on September 12, 2025, at 7:00 PM at Cafe con Libros, Brooklyn. Features book cover of 'Exile is Home' showing chess pawns, with photos of Elvis Alves and Keisha-Gaye Anderson.
Event poster for Elvis Alves' book launch featuring authors JP Howard and Cathy Linh Che. The poster includes photos of the authors and details about the event, which is scheduled for August 21 at 7:30 PM at Greenlight Bookstore. The poster displays an image of a book titled "Exile is Home" with a quote by Michelle Reale.
Promotional flyer featuring Elvis Alves, J.P. Howard, and Cathy Linh Che for an event at Greenlight Bookstore in Brooklyn on August 21, 2025, from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
Flyer for a literary event featuring Elvis Alves with Ellen Kumbani and Kay Poema, scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 7 pm at Word Up Community Bookshop in New York. The flyer includes a quote about exile, photos of three speakers, and logos of the hosting organizations, with a note that masking is required and a URL for RSVP.
A man with glasses and dreadlocks is speaking into a microphone at a book event in a bookstore, with bookshelves full of colorful books behind him. Two women are seated to his left, one holding a microphone. Audience members are sitting and listening, with some recording the event on their phones.
Two men engaged in conversation in a bookstore, with bookshelves filled with books on either side and a small wooden table between them. The man on the left is African American with dreadlocks, wearing glasses and a green shirt. The man on the right is older with gray hair, wearing a dark blue shirt. In the background, there are patrons browsing and signs indicating the bookstore's sections.
Event poster for a writers' read featuring diverse speakers, with a background of group of people speaking or performing.
Display of new bestseller paperbacks at a bookstore, including titles like 'American Wolves,' 'Exile is Home,' 'You Like It Darker,' 'Paper of Wreckage,' 'Bringer of Dust,' and 'Defect RS.' A green sign in the background reads 'New & Bestselling Paperbacks!'
A man and a woman smiling outdoors in a park. The man is holding a book titled 'The Box'. The woman is wearing a black shirt with 'Black Queen' written on it and is holding a colorful folder.
Event poster for 'The Writing Life: A Lively Conversation on Writing and Being a Writer' featuring photos of four authors: Elvis Alves, Terence Culleton, Lynn Levin, and Hayden Sauner. The event is at Bucks County Community College, Newtown, PA, on December 4th from 7 to 9 PM with free admission and book signing.
Poster advertising virtual reading events by Cornerstone Press in December 2025. The poster features a background of books on a shelf, and includes details for webinars on December 3 and 4, 2025, with guest poets. The first event features Elvis Alves, Russell Thorburn, Katherine Hoerth, Grant Clauser, Sharon Kourous, and Corie Rosen. The second event features Kevin Thomason, Hannah Rodabaugh, Deirdre Lockwood, Cal Freeman, Heidi Seaborn, and Aiyana Masla. The poster provides links to Facebook and Instagram and is affiliated with the School of Humanities and Global Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and Cornerstone Press.
A panel of five people sitting at a long table with a blue tablecloth that has a 'Bucks County' logo. The women and men are engaged in a discussion at an indoor event, with papers and water bottles on the table. In the background, there are posters and decorative yellow walls.
Event announcement for No River Twice first reading of 2026, scheduled for January 14 from 7 to 8 PM on Zoom, featuring speakers Elvis Alves, Chad Frame, Joanne Leva, Lynn Levin, Lorraine Henrie Lins, Hayden Saunier, and Cleveland Wall. Includes a logo with the words 'nor/iver tw/ice' and a photo of people jumping into a body of water at sunset.
Library bookshelf with books and a small stand for a book titled 'Exile Is Home' by Elvis Alves. Other books include 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr and a book by Hank Phillippi Ryan. A fire extinguisher is visible on the left side.
Purchase Books
Current Work
Elvis has completed two new full length poetry collections and a short story collection and is shopping these around. He is open to be represented by a reputable literary agent and publicist. Serious inquiries only. He is available to do readings at bookstores, institutions, and organizations.
1. Salmon Poetry Press: Podcast Featuring Elvis Alves
2. Blackfish Launch at Greenlight Bookstore, Brooklyn (YouTube Video)
3. Ota Benga (Video)
4. Cafe DADA (Video)
Events
1. No River Twice (Zoom Reading), 1/14/26.