Elizabeth Austen
Producer
About
Former Washington State Poet Laureate Elizabeth Austen has been interviewing poets and producing poetry segments for KUOW since 2001.
She began as an intern while in graduate school for an MFA in poetry at Antioch University, Los Angeles. Once she discovered the joy of blending her early background as an actor and director (Book–It Repertory Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Festival) with her passion for poetry as a spoken art form, she was hooked. She's been producing poetry for radio audiences ever since.
Her collection, "Every Dress a Decision" (Blue Begonia Press, 2011), was a finalist for the 2012 Washington State Book Award in poetry, and is now in its fourth printing. She's committed to fostering a broader understanding and appreciation of the literary arts in general and poetry in particular. Visit her online at her personal site.
Stories
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Arts & Life
From the KUOW archives: Poet Mary Oliver celebrates life, nature and her dog
We dug into our KUOW archives and found excerpts from that night along with commentary by former Washington State poet laureate Elizabeth Austen, hosted by Megan Sukys.
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A poetic ode to the demolition of the Richard Hugo House
In the poem "Maybe This Building Should Go" — and a series of redactions — Frances McCue considers the emotional pull of particular places and buildings...
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What I learned from my feminist mom
Set on the boardwalk at Ocean City, New Jersey, Kevin Craft's poem "Matinee" considers the trajectory of his mother's life, and its effect on his own.
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The hidden story of Marys who defied the constraints of their time
Bill Radke talks with poetry correspondent Elizabeth Austen about Seattle-based poet and science teacher Melinda Mueller’s poem “Covert Acts.” The three...
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Liberals: This poet wants you to rethink that 'stay vigilant' idea
In the immediate wake of President Trump's inauguration, Seattle poet Jamaica Baldwin wrote a series of poems, including "Vigilant," excerpted below....
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One poet's take on translating news of the world for her kids
My daughter asks me to explain but my words falter. Think about the Syrian civil war and refugee crisis. The seemingly endless cycle of violence between...
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Seattle poet on how we're all living with a diagnosis of 'human frailty'
Six years ago Seattle poet Tara Hardy was blindsided by a mysterious chronic illness. It nearly killed her. She talks with KUOW's Elizabeth Austen about...
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Returning to mother's village with poet Jane Wong
Bill Radke and KUOW poetry correspondent Elizabeth Austen discuss an excerpt of "Pastoral Power," a sprawling, image-driven poem by local poet Jane Wong...
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Treat yourself to Washington-grown poems this National Poetry Month
Each week during National Poetry Month, we're featuring works by Pacific Northwest poets, curated by KUOW's Elizabeth Austen. Most are drawn from the...
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A literary selfie by Seattle poet Quenton Baker
Elizabeth Austen and Bill Radke discuss "Self-Portrait," a poetic "selfie" by Seattle poet and educator Quenton Baker. The poem is part of Baker's first...