Posted by Cassandra Stalzer, Communications Manager

As I ruminate on my career thus far, I take pride in the accomplishments of the interns, volunteers, fellows, and apprentices with whom I’ve had the great pleasure to work as they launch their own professional lives.

I first met Joan Kane while I was still working in public radio – she had recently returned to Alaska after earning her bachelor’s degree and had begun working in the newsroom gathering stories and editing scripts. It seemed to me then that she exuded a sense accomplishment and confidence that belied both her age and newsroom experience. After doing exemplary work and earning the respect of her coworkers, she did something that took the courage of an Acapulco cliff diver: she left to earn an advanced degree in a field where many fail to find success – creative writing.

For the past several years, Joan has been building a reputation as one of Alaska’s most promising young authors. Her website lists an accelerating number of awards, publications and recognitions. Her play “The Gilded Tusk” was presented at the Anchorage Museum last summer and her poetry was featured the spring 2008 Crosscurrents North: Alaskans on the Environment from the University of Alaska Press. Rasmuson Foundation awarded her an Individual Artist Award in 2007 so she could focus on writing poetry.

Last week, almost simultaneously, Joan’s first book, The Cormorant Hunter’s Wife, was published by North Shore Press and she collected the 2009 Whiting Writers’ Award which is given annually to 10 up and coming writers. The Whiting Award comes with a $50,000 prize, and has amongst its recipients Michael Cunningham, Tobias Wolff and Jeffrey Eugenides, and Alaskans Seth Kantner and Natalie Kusz.

Joan will be reading from The Cormorant Hunter’s Wife November 17 at the University of Alaska Campus Bookstore. It will be followed by a discussion with Alaska Native poets.

I’m sure I speak for all Alaskans when I say it is gratifying to watch this state’s young artists achieve such successes. Way to go, Joan!