Phil Howerton

Phil Howerton is a professor of English at Missouri State University-West Plains and a sixth-generation Ozarker. He holds a doctorate in English from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He has taught English for more than 20 years. He co-founded and co-edits Cave Region Review, serves as general editor of Elder Mountain: A Journal of Ozarks Studies, and founded Cornerpost Press. He received the 2019 Missouri Literary Award from the Missouri Library Association. His poetry collection The History of Tree Roots was published by Golden Antelope Press in 2015. His most recent book, Gods of Four Mile Creek, a mix of poetry, photographs and essays, was also published by Golden Antelope Press in 2023.