Finishing Line Press

Sarah C. Beckmann · Finishing Line Press · 2026

A poetry collection structured as a crew race exploring girlhood, womanhood, and motherhood through the experiences of a rower and writer. These poems subvert the historical dominance of male heroes by celebrating ordinary female heroism, while examining love, home, and what it means to be an American woman today.

Sarah C. Beckmann · Finishing Line Press · 2021

Beckmann's first collection of poetry, "Naiad Blood," describes a young woman who discovers herself in the sport of rowing. Although she grew up near the sea, she falls in love with boats and the water all over again, in a whole new way; crew not only provides her with an avenue for personal growth, but also alters her outlook on life. Taking creative inspiration from Greek myths and other cultural ideas around womanhood, "Naiad Blood" acknowledges social norms and issues that women face, and also directly challenges them.