Bierds is considered one of this generation's preeminent poets. When she started writing in her youth, she wrote fiction. This influenced her poetic style, which is lyrical and narrative. In her work, she is known for exploring science, history and art. Her most recent book, "Roget's Illusions," was one of 10 contenders for the 2014 National Book Award in Poetry. Bierds teaches writing and literature at the University of Washington and has been the recipient of fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts and the MacArthur Foundation. Linda Bierds was born in Wilmington, Delaware and raised in Seattle, Washington. She earned her BA and MA, with an emphasis in fiction, from the University of Washington.