Jack Ridl has published four full collections of poetry, three chapbooks, two literary texts, two anthologies and more than 300 poems in various literary magazines. His most recent collection, Broken Symmetry, was published in 2006 along with a chapbook of circus poems, Outside the Center Ring. Broken Symmetry was named by the Society of Midland Writers as best book of poems published in 2006. Sharon Dolin and then Poet Laureate Billy Collins selected his Against Elegies for the chapbook award from The Center for Book Arts in New York City. A new collection, Losing Season, will be published by Cavan Kerry Press in September of 2009.
In 1996 The Carnegie Foundation named Ridl Michigan Professor of the Year. In 2007, The Institute for International Sport recognized him as one of the 100 most influential sports educators. More than 60 of his students in the past 15 years have gone on to MFA programs and to publish their work. The Hope College students honored him with the Hope Outstanding Professor Award and also named him Favorite Professor. He has received the Alumni Achievement Award from Westminster College. For 37 years, Ridl has taught poetry writing at Hope College where he founded the Visiting Writers Series. He has read throughout the country including The Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival.