Author Talk: Jack Straw Writers' Annual Showcase

Presenters may include: Curator Claudia Castro Luna, Natalie Pascale Boisseau, Kevin Dean, Elissa Favero, Jean Ferruzola, Rasheena Fountain, Gabriella Garcia, Maiah A Merino, BeeLyn Naihiwet, Diane Nguyen, Alejandro Pérez-Cortés, Sayantani Roy, and Ruth Marie Tomlinson.

The Jack Straw Writers Program, now in its thirtieth year, has included more than 300 Pacific Northwest writers who represent a diverse range of literary genres. The purpose of the Jack Straw Writers Program is to introduce local writers to the medium of recorded audio; to develop their presentation skills for both live and recorded readings; to encourage the creation of new literary work; to present the writers and their work in live readings, in an anthology, on the web, and on the radio; and to build community among writers. Each year an invited curator selects the participating writers from a large pool of applicants, based on artistic excellence, diversity of literary genres and experiences, and creating a cohesive group of writers. Writers receive training in vocal presentation, performance, and microphone technique to prepare them for studio recording and live readings. Their recorded readings and interviews with the curator are then used to produce features on our web site, for radio broadcast, and for podcasts, which are available for streaming or download at www.jackstraw.org.

About the Curator:

Claudia Castro Luna is an award-winning poet and writer, an Academy of American Poets Poet Laureate fellow (2019-2020), WA State Poet Laureate (2018 – 2021) and Seattle’s inaugural Civic Poet (2015-2018). She is the author of “Green the World” (Chin Music Press, 2026), “One River, A Thousand Voices”(Chin Music Press, 2020), “Cipota Under the Moon” (Tia Chucha Press, 2022) and “Killing Marías” (Two Sylvias Press, 2017). The latter two titles were shortlisted for the WA State Book Award in poetry, 2023 and 2018 respectively. Castro Luna is also the author of “This City” (Floating Bridge Press, 2016). Her most recent non-fiction is in “There’s a Revolution Outside, My Love: Letters from a Crisis” (Vintage) and in “Memory's Vault: The Poetic Heart of Fort Worden” (Empty Bowl). Castro Luna’s memoir, “The Flowers Along the Way” is forthcoming from Curbstone in fall 2026.

Born in El Salvador, Castro Luna lives in English and Spanish, and writes and teaches in the Pacific Northwest.

Thanks to our partner Jack Straw Cultural Center.

Thanks to our sponsors  The Seattle Public Library Foundation  and  The Gary and Connie Kunis Foundation.

Thanks to media sponsor  The Seattle Times.

Free and reduced access supported by  4Culture.

Registration is required. Register  here.

Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Wearing a mask is encouraged at this event, at the request of the presenters.