Sarita Dasgupta, Ellensburg’s new poet laureate, is approaching the end of her first six months of artistic service to the city. We spoke with Dasgupta to hear more of her personal story and her vision for the artistic community of our neighboring city.
How did you first become involved in the literary world?
I moved to Ellensburg four years ago when I married my husband, who has lived here for almost 35 years. I’ve been working at the Ellensburg Public Library for the last three years.
I have been a voracious reader since the age of seven, and loved the way stories ignited my imagination and took me into their world. The written word fascinated me! I started writing poems, stories and skits when I was about ten years old.
My first collection of fables for children – Feathered Friends – was published in India in 2016. I have been contributing stories and poems to online websites and blogs for several years and have recently started a Substack account.
I was Editor of a multinational company’s bi-annual house journal for 12 years. It was a very enriching experience as I was given total creative freedom.
I was a member of a literary society called ‘Kalam’ (meaning ‘pen’) in Kolkata, India, and regularly attended the annual Kolkata Literary Festival, where I interacted with several internationally acclaimed authors, such as Yann Martel, Markus Zusak, Ann Cleeves, and Amitav Ghosh. I was invited as a delegate to Literary Festivals as well.
While in India, I was also a member of a poets’ group called ‘Rhythm Divine’ and took part in poetry events hosted by organizations such as Alliance Francaise.
My adapted and original plays and musicals were performed by students of schools in various states of India.
After moving here, I got involved in literary events, especially connected with poetry, but also contributed articles and stories to The Observer (CWU student newspaper) and the Gekker Quarterly online magazine. I also read stories, sometimes my original ones, for children every Thursday on ‘Read Along With Grammy’ on Ellensburg Community Radio.
D Press of Ellensburg published my chapbook of poetry, ‘Outpourings’, in 2023.
Also in 2023, along with another poet friend, Cory Eberhart, I started a monthly literary meeting called Midweek Musings at Bailey’s Bibliomania, an iconic bookstore now in Kittitas.
In March 2025, Gekker Publishing published my book of short stories called ‘Seeds of Fate’. Since then, I have had book events and signings at Pearl Street Books, Hal Holmes Community Center and Jerrol’s in Ellensburg; Village Books in Bellingham; and Griffin Bay Bookstore and the San Juan Library in Friday Harbor. My book was chosen for the 2026 One Book One County program by Kittitas County’s Regional Library Board. It was also on show at the London Book Fair in April 2026.
I have a few ideas for another book of short stories. I also plan to publish a collection of my poems. I would like to turn some of my poems into songs, like I did with ‘Reminders of You’, which is available on YouTube. I also plan to upload more of my work on my Substack account.
Do you have any core inspirations or visions for your written work?
My inspiration comes mainly from within – from my own life experiences, feelings, thoughts and ideas. Sometimes, something I’ve heard or read about is the bud from which an idea blossoms and takes shape.
Whether I’m writing poetry or prose, my aim is to remain true to myself while expressing my ideas, but I also want to connect with my readers. It is such a joy when they understand, enjoy and resonate with what I’m communicating. I am very interested in knowing a reader’s perspective of my work. The written word is actually a ‘conversation’ between the writer and the reader and I always appreciate feedback.
As your tenure as our Poet Laureate continues, what are you looking forward to in the coming years?
My role description is ‘Poet Laureate and Literary Ambassador’ so in my two-year tenure, I am committed to promoting poetry – whether appreciation or composition – within the Ellensburg community. A big advantage is that this town is very supportive of art in all its forms.
One of the most fulfilling aspects of my role as Poet Laureate is helping people find their voice. I encourage them to express themselves through poetry and enjoy not only the result, but the process as well.
As you will find on the Poet Laureate Program page of the city’s website, I have quite a few events planned throughout this year, and I am excited about all of them! They are all free and open to everyone.
My first major community project was called ‘Emerging Ekphrastic Expressions’ – an art-based poetry event to celebrate National Poetry Month in April this year. I brought together ten local artists and ten local poets. The artists each submitted a painting, based on which their partner-poet composed an original poem. These paintings were presented in a slideshow at Gallery One, while the poets read their respective poems aloud. The paintings, framed alongside their poems, were displayed at Gallery One through the month of May.
I started a segment called ‘Poetry Point’ on Ellensburg Community Radio in April to promote local poets. An original poem by a local poet, recorded in their own voice, is aired at 11.05 AM every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, as the ‘Poem of the Week’.
There are other poetry events and exercises I have initiated, and will be organizing throughout my tenure, with different demographics within the community, in an effort to bring poetry into the lives of more people.
Towards the end of this year, I’ll start planning next year’s events, the main one being the event to celebrate National Poetry Month.
Are there any stories that come to mind when you think of the vision and heart behind the Poet Laureate program?
My predecessor, Marie Marchand, was appointed the first Poet Laureate of Ellensburg in 2022. She was the pathfinder and an inspiration. I had the pleasure of participating in the poetry events she organized during her tenure. She fulfilled her role with heart and grace. Kudos go to the Ellensburg Arts Commission for their vision in starting this program, and the City of Ellensburg for supporting it.
Marie’s ‘Poetry Extravaganza’ in 2023 involved local poets composing sonnets in honor of pioneer women of Kittitas County. It was a wonderful experience for me to be one of the seven poets participating in that event.
It was very heartening to experience the enthusiasm and commitment of the artists and poets who participated in the ‘Emerging Ekphrastic Expressions’ event this April. A large number of people showed up for the event, so it was thrilling for the artists, poets and me to get such strong support from the community.
I look forward to more people participating in, and enjoying, upcoming events!
How would you encourage someone who is interested in getting involved with the literary community in Kittitas and Yakima County?
I would encourage them to find out about literary events happening in the town and county. I am sure the details would be available on social media or on posters around town.
They could participate in the poetry events I’m organizing as part of the Poet Laureate program, or at ‘Open Mics’ at different local venues. They can attend Midweek Musings once a month at Bailey’s Bibliomania, where participants talk about any aspect related to the topic of the month. For Seniors, there’s a writers’ meeting every Monday morning at the Adult Activity Center. There are many very active book clubs in Ellensburg and the other towns in the county.
