Barbara Rostad

Barbara is a versatile writer with degrees in journalism and sociology at universities in Washington, Idaho and California. An IWL member since 2000, she has published poems, articles and edited a cross-country ski book for the visually and mobility impaired. She is famous for her haiku and her ability to teach even the most inept how to create works of beauty.

Barbara has entered the contests for 3 years and won awards each time. This year 4 out of 5 entries received recognition including two first place awards plus the Vardis Fisher award. She says, "I appreciate the recognition, especially the Vardis Fisher, but for me the greatest value is that it spurs me to write new things I would probably not otherwise write. For instance, without the contest, I would not have thought to title a poem, 'Have You Been Through the Silver Valley?'"

Barbara has served on the board of the Coeur d'Alene chapter and helped with the planning and preparation for Coeur d'Alene's Writer's Fairs and the 2004 State Conference. She also contributed a short story and a poem to the book "Kaleidoscope: A Collection of Tantalizing Tales" written by Coeur d'Alene chapter members in 2003.

Updated: November 29, 2005