Carol Muske-Dukes is a professor at the University of Southern California and a former Poet Laureate of California. She is an author of 8 books of poems - most recent is Twin Cities from Penguin. Earlier books of poems inc. Sparrow, from Random House, a Nat. Book Award finalist, and others. She has also published four novels, inc. Channeling Mark Twain from Random House, 2003. She is also an essayist and anthology editor. Her two collections of essays, include Married to the Icepick Killer: a Poet in Hollywood (S.F. Chronicle (Best Book) -- and an anthology of poems, co-edited with Bob Holman - Crossing State Lines: an American Renga (from Farrar, Strauss & Giroux) + two children's poetry "handbooks" - The Magical Poetry Blimp Pilot's Guide, 1 & 2. Many of her books have been NY Times Most Notable Books.