Kai Coggin is the author of four poetry collections, most recently Mining for Stardust (FlowerSong Press 2021). She is a Master Naturalist, a K-12 Teaching Artist in poetry with the Arkansas Arts Council, an Artist INC facilitator with Mid-America Arts Alliance, a teen mentor for WriteGirl, and host of the longest running consecutive weekly open mic series in the country—Wednesday Night Poetry. Recently awarded the 2021 Governor’s Arts Award, named “Best Poet in Arkansas” by the Arkansas Times, and nominated for Arkansas State Poet Laureate and Hot Springs Woman of the Year, Kai builds community with heart. She lives with her wife in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas.