Hi, I’m Elizabeth Dick Howell—a poet, librettist, elementary school librarian, and proud mother of two sons. I hold an MFA in poetry, and my work explores the surreal, the sacred, and the strange, often with a sharp sense of wit and a feminist edge. My poems have appeared in various print and online journals.

I began writing libretti in 2022, when I joined the Jane Langston Creation Lab at Seattle Opera. Alongside composer Spencer Edgers, I wrote Everything After. Since then, we’ve collaborated again on another opera titled Little Things, which is set to premiere in August 2025.

In addition to poetry and opera, I’m currently exploring new genres, including children’s books and screenwriting. As I branch out, I’m learning that getting published isn’t just about writing something clever or good—it’s about showing up, submitting, and trying again. Sign up for my newsletter, where I share the rejections, the tiny wins, and what I’m learning about the craft—and the art—of submitting.