About the Author and Poet

            Karen Jean Matsko Hood began writing as a shy author, but has now developed a voice all her own.  Her writing always exhibits a unique story as well as a voice of empathy and purpose.  Hood’s writing is strong-minded.  She is a meticulous wordsmith and combines information with compassion.  Hood has always loved children and is devoted to the needs of children.  It is only natural that she would channel her efforts to include children’s books and poetry.

            Hood reminds us of the importance of our links with nature and the environment in our daily lives.  Her writing carries the urgency and outrage with areas of current social injustice and inequality.  The recurring theme in Hood’s work is to provide a voice for those whose struggle cannot be heard.  Hood’s writing brings poignancy to the most hopeless of situations.  She is romantic in her vision for a quest for dignity and social justice.

            Hood also writes about personal and spiritual themes.  She is passionate both as a feminist and as an active children’s rights advocate.  Hood also works to encourage literacy for all ages.  Her blend of traditionalism and modernism brings a current freshness and uniqueness to her own poetic voice.  She is versatile in her writing style and is able to incorporate a wide range of themes and topics.  Her poems have been published in a myriad of magazines and publications.

            Hood was born and raised in Great Falls, Montana. She attended the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota and St. John’s University, in Collegeville, Minnesota. She received a B.S. Degree in Natural Science and minored in both Psychology and Secondary Education from the college of St. Benedict.  After graduating, Karen and her husband taught high school science and math on the island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Hood also completed postgraduate classes at the University of Iowa, in Iowa City. In May 2001, she completed her Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry at Gonzaga University, in Spokane, Washington. She has also taken post-graduate classes at Lewis and Clark College at the North Idaho College campus in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Hood is currently working on research projects to complete her Ph.D. in Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington.

            Along with her husband, twelve children, and foster children, Hood currently resides in Greenacres, Washington. Her interests include writing, teaching, and volunteering as a child advocate in the juvenile court system for abused and neglected children. Hood also is a literary advocate for youth and adults. Her hobbies include cooking, baking, nature photography, raising Icelandic horses and Icelandic sheepdogs, indoor and outdoor gardening, and cultivating orchids and flowering plants. Hood also enjoys observing hummingbirds and other bird-watching activities.  Hood finds all life precious and demonstrates a passionate appreciation of nature, the environment and a respect for all life.

For more information about the author, poet and researcher Karen Jean Matsko Hood,

You may contact the author at:

Karen Jean Matsko Hood, M.A., Inc.

507 North. Sullivan Road, Suite, A-3

Spokane Valley, WA  99037-8532 USA

Phone: (509) 922-4849 / Fax: (509) 922-5310

www.karenjeanmatskohood.com or www.Karenhood.com