Carol Muske-Dukes

Carol Muske-Dukes is the author of sixteen books: poems, novels and essays. She recently retired from USC, where she was solo founder of the PhD program in Creative Writing/Literature. She is former Poet Laureate of California and former poetry columnist for the LATimes. Awards include Pulitzer Prize long-list finalist, NEA, Guggenheim, Ingram Merrill, Barnes & Noble Writer for Writers award, National Book Award finalist, and many Pushcart Prizes. Growing an avocado tree from a seed remains one of her most satisfying accomplishments though it ended tragically.