Cooper Wilhelm grew up in Portland, Maine, a city that took the phoenix as its symbol in recognition of its penchant for burning down. He later lived in Hong Kong, which translates to "fragrant harbor." He is the author of Klaatu Verata Nikto (Ghost City Press/2016), a microchapbook about necromancy, Walt Whitman, and break-ups, and of DUMBHEART/STUPIDFACE (Siren Songs/Forthcoming). He is also the host of Into the Dark, a talk show about witchcraft on Radio Free Brooklyn, and sends poems on postcards to strangers he looks up in phonebooks at PoetryAndStrangers.com.