About the Author
My Story
I was making up stories and poems before I could actually write. My mother was a writer who inspired and nurtured me in all things literary from the earliest of ages, would dutifully type out my creations on her Royal manual typewriter until I was old enough to write or type them myself. Our nextdoor neighbor told me recently she remembered asking me at that age what I wanted to do with my life; supposedly, I lisped that I wanted to live by the road with a cat and write. I still do.
Though my journey would take me through graduate school where I would devote more time to academic writing and grading freshman English compositions, I still never faltered from seeing myself first as a writer who taught, rather than the other way around. When it became painfully obvious I had little time to write while teaching (and grading said freshman papers ad nauseum), I had to admit I was a teacher who also wrote. I knew to be true to my calling, I had to make some changes.
So a couple of years ago I decided to retire after 45 years of teaching to focus on my own publications; and while I still teach part-time ("old English teachers never die, they just grade away…"), I am changing hats at this late stage in my life to be a writer first. Having finally returned to Kentucky after traveling to teach around the world, I live by the road and write. And of course I have my cats.
My Books
Gladly Teach, Gladly Learn
"Gladly Teach, Gladly Learn" is a rich, genre-spanning collection of poetry that both celebrates and teaches the craft of verse. A collaboration between student poet Kayleen R. Cordes and her professor and mentor Rebecca Luttrell Briley, PhD, this book is an artistic and academic journey through the wide world of poetic forms. With a deep love for structure, language, and the subtle power of tradition, the authors explore over 60 poetic forms—ranging from limerick to ghazal, Shakespearean sonnet to pantoum, cinquain to prose poetry.
Each form is introduced with history, instruction, and examples—followed by original poems that are emotionally resonant, intellectually sharp, and stylistically adventurous. The result is a unique blend of instructional guide and poetic anthology, suited for both curious readers and aspiring poets.
From light-hearted limericks to haunting villanelles, from ancient traditions to modern expressions, this collection proves that poetry can be a playground, a classroom, and a mirror to the soul—all at once.
Whether you're learning poetry or falling back in love with it, Gladly Teach, Gladly Learn is a compelling invitation to read deeply, write bravely, and savor the power of language.
Gatsby's Christmas Surprise
Why would the Bavarian hotel website say that dogs are allowed but no cats? And why would Mommy insist on taking her cat Gatsby with her to the Wolf Hotel anyway? Both Gatsby and Mommy are in for the surprise of their lives in this children's read-aloud tale for Christmas, fancifully illustrated by Lithuanian artist Gulsun Tiurubajesa.
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Bean si Bones
The first full-length collection of contemporary poetry by Rebecca Luttrell Briley. The title, taken from an Irish source pronounced "banshee," refers to the faerie woman of Irish folklore who wails in grief at the onset of a death in the family. Divided into five sections entitled "Widow's Walk," "What Mama Said," "The Mental Traveler," "Lovers and Other Lunatics," and "Girls will be Women," the poems reflect the growth the author experienced at progressive stages of her development as a young woman, widowed early in life. Favorite poems describe world travel to such places as England, Italy, Ireland, Cyprus, Turkey, and Africa, as well as sites in the USA, particularly Kentucky.
Buy on AmazonA Word From The Author
Get in Touch
Connect with Me
I'd love to hear from you! Whether you have questions about my books, want to discuss a potential collaboration, or simply want to say hello, don't hesitate to reach out.