The winners of the Poetry Cafe Writing Contest from the University of Pittsburgh read their work.

Jan Beatty is the author of three books: Red Sugar (2008), Boneshaker (2002), and Mad River (winner, 1994 Agnes Lynch Starrett Prize), all published by the University of Pittsburgh Press. Her limited edition chapbook, Ravenous, won the 1995 State Street prize. For the past fifteen years, Beatty has co-hosted and produced Prosody, a public radio show on NPR affiliate WYEP-FM featuring the work of national writers. She directs the creative writing program at Carlow University where she teaches the Madwomen in the Attic writing workshops and in the MFA program.

Rick Campbell’s new book, Dixmont, was published by Autumn House Press in 2008. Other books include The Traveler's Companion (Black Bay Books, 2004) and Setting The World In Order (Texas Tech 2001), which won the Walt McDonald Prize.

Naomi Shihab Nye is an an award-winning poet, writer, anthologist, and educator. She is the author and/or editor of more than 20 volumes. Her books of poetry include 19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East, A Maze Me: Poems for Girls, Red Suitcase, Words Under the Words, Fuel, and You & Yours (a best-selling poetry book of 2006). Her books of essays include: Never in a Hurry—and I’ll Ask You Three Times, Are You Okay? Tales of Driving and Being Driven.

Anita Byerly’s new book, October Light, was published by Finishing Line Press in 2008. Her chapbook, Digging a Hole to China, was published in 2001.

Ann Lauterbach is the author of many books, including The Night Sky: Writings on the Poetics of Experience (New York: Penguin, 2005), Hum (New York: Penguin, 2005), and If In Time: Selected Poems 1975-2000 (New York, Penguin, 2001).

Stacey Waite was the winner of the 2004 Frank O'Hara Prize for Poetry for her first chapbook entitled Choke. Her book, Love Poem to Androgyny, won the 2006 Main Street Rag Chapbook Contest. Her poems have appeared most recently in Poet Lore, Nimrod, 5AM, West Branch, Chiron Review and Pearl.

Allison Adelle Hedge Coke, of Huron, Tsa la gi (Cherokee), French-Canadian and Portuguese descent, is an award-winning poet and author. She won the American Book Award for Dog Road Woman in 1998. Her books include the memoir, Rock, Ghost, Willow, Deer, and the poetry collections Off Season City Pipe and Blood Run.

Evelyn Pierce was born in Mississippi. She has published short stories and two contracted screenplays adaptations, and is currently finishing her novel.

Jane Bernstein is the author of five books, most recently Rachel in the World. Her film work includes the screenplay for the Warner Brothers movie Seven Minutes in Heaven.