Joanne Clarkson

Joanne Clarkson’s fourth poetry collection, Believing the Body, was published in 2014 by Gribble Press. Her award-winning poems have appeared in over 100 magazines and journals internationally. She serves on the Board of the Olympia Poetry Network and is Poet-in-Residence for the Northwest Playwrights’ Alliance. Clarkson has Master’s Degrees in English and Library Science, has taught and worked as a professional librarian. After caring for her mother through a long illness, she re-careered as a Registered Nurse. She specializes in Hospice and Community Nursing.

Joanne received a 2014 GAP to create a full-length poetry book based on her experience as nurse, focusing on Home Healthcare and Hospice. The GAP allows space of time and thought to assimilate writing into her work plan. Through the book that will result and the programs and presentations it will generate, she intends to touch as many people as she does with a stethoscope and nursing knowledge.