Shin Yu Pai is Civic Poet for The City of Seattle. She is the author of several books of poetry, including No Neutral (Empty Bowl, 2023), Virga (Empty Bowl, 2021), ENSŌ (Entre Ríos Books, 2020), Sightings: Selected Works (1913 Press, 2007), AUX ARCS (La Alameda, 2013), Adamantine (White Pine, 2010), Haiku Not Bombs (Booklyn, 2008), and Equivalence (La Alameda, 2003). She is the host and creator of Ten Thousand Things, a podcast on Asian American stories for KUOW Public Radio, Seattle’s NPR affiliate. Her forthcoming haiku comic collection, Less Desolate, is available through Blue Cactus Press.
Justin Rueff is a biracial, Latino artist, illustrator, and educator. He has created hundreds of hand-painted signs and murals for businesses, schools and collectors throughout Oregon and California. Favorite subjects include people, nature and letters. His work tends to be allegorical with a focus on movement and rhythm. He is the author and illustrator of Brother Crow comics, A Guide to Understanding the Never-ending Story and Heroes & Lovers. Justin teaches painting, drawing, and design to students of all ages throughout Portland, Los Angeles, and the Seattle area.