Marie's writing has taken many forms—stories and poems to gather in memories of earlier years, songs to capture images or emotions, laments for our sweet planet, academic research papers, and proposals to inspire us to create a palliative community of excellence. She taught writing in all these forms at Fairhaven College at Western Washington University for many years and for most of the Northwest Writers' Weekend sessions. Marie loves helping others find the tools and strategies to find their own passions and the voice to express them.

Kate Gray's passion stems from teaching, leading salons, and volunteering. She is the author of two poetry chapbooks, two full-length poetry collections, and one novel. Kate and her partner live in a pine-and-oak forest in the mid-Columbia River Gorge with an impetuous, city dog. At the time of our weekend, she may also have scratches from playing with a puppy named Comet.

Geof was raised in New England and after college spent nine years in Nashville, Tennessee as a commercial songwriter. He learned from his art teachers that the process and routine of writing draws inspiration to it.  He believes that when the muse strikes, it is best to be already in the chair with a pen, writing.  He left commercial songwriting in 1982 and moved to Bellingham, recording a few albums of original songs between 1981 and 1988 on Flying Fish Records.  He continues to write and play music, creative nonfiction, and has often included songs in his work as a community organizer.  He is part of a dear group of songwriters in Bellingham that inspire, encourage, and remind him that the inherent creativity in us all is always ready to emerge.

Jennifer Perrine is the author of four award-winning books of poetry: Again, The Body Is No Machine, In the Human Zoo, and No Confession, No Mass. Their recent short stories and essays appear in Buckman Journal and The Gay & Lesbian Review. Perrine lives in Portland, Oregon, where they co-host the Incite: Queer Writers Read series and teach creative writing and anti-oppression practices to youth and adults. To learn more, visit www.jenniferperrine.org.