Evelyn D. Klein
Author, Poet, Writer, Independent Scholar, Artist
Welcome to the website of Evelyn D. Klein—author, poet, educator, editor, artist, and independent scholar. Throughout her life, Evelyn has explored the power of language, creativity, and observation to better understand the world and our place within it.
Her writing moves between poetry, prose, education, and the craft of writing itself, drawing inspiration from nature, community, family, personal growth, and the experiences that connect us. From her poetry and illustrated works to Power Behind Your Writing: What Every Writer Needs to Know, Evelyn invites readers to discover new perspectives, strengthen their own creative voices, and appreciate the extraordinary within everyday life.
Explore her books, discover her artwork and poetry, and learn more about the experiences and ideas that continue to inspire her work.
BOOKS BY EVELYN D. KLEIN
In Call of the Lake, award-winning poet, Evelyn D. Klein, invites readers to experience the beauty of Minnesota’s natural world. In her “collection of haiku-like poems, she renews our ability to see what is at once wonderful, mysterious, and ordinary about the seasonal activities occurring at this sleepy lake, one of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes. Each small poem in this collection is drawn with careful lines from precise observations as revealing as the illustrations
that adorn the book.”
~Emilio DeGrazia, prize-winning poet, and Poet Laureate of Winona, MN
In Power Behind Your Writing, Evelyn D. Klein, M.S.T., examines the ingredients of effective writing, with language history, word choice, grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation. Through clear explanations, examples, and practical exercises, writers learn how a deeper understanding of language can strengthen their craft and help them write with greater clarity, confidence and purpose. “Power Behind Your Writing is a highly readable book and an easy-to-use reference tool.”
~Rhonda Petree, Lecturer Dept. of English, TESOL, University of Wis., River Falls
Power Behind Your Writing by Evelyn D. Klein illustrates that quality writing requires an understanding of word selection and sentence construction. Understanding the basics of sentence construction is beneficial to the writing process.
~Lorraine Palkert, Lorraine Palkert, Ph.D, Adjunct Associate Professor of university education courses
In Fear and Promise: Remembering 2020, Evelyn D. Klein uses poetry to reflect on a year defined by a global pandemic, social unrest, racism, political division, and uncertainty. Through these deeply personal observations, she explores the search for truth, balance, and hope, often finding sanctuary and renewal in the natural world. This book found its place at the Minnesota Historical Society’s permanent library collection.
Seasons of Desire
This book celebrates stages and seasons of life in poetry and prose, illustrated with the author’s own drawings. The book can be found in the Minnesota Historical Society’s permanent library collection.
“This unique compilation of poetry, prose, and artwork is the result of the author’s pursuit of both the outer and inner meanings of life.”
~ Tricia Ells, President, Minnesota Jung Association
Once upon a Neighborhood
Evelyn Klein’s poetry and prose, combine observation and memoir in the portrayal of human nature in the changing quest for establishing neighborhood in the Twin Cities. This book found its place at the Minnesota Historical Society’s permanent library collection.
“An exquisite chronicle of life.”
~ Kimberly Nightingale, Publisher/Editor, Saint Paul Almanac
From Here Across the Bridge
These poems, set against a backdrop of Wisconsin and Minnesota, offer a look at the process of reflection illuminating the subtle interplay of professional, spiritual, and personal life, fearlessly exploring its dark corners, while also celebrating moments of discovery and communion. Illustrated with woodcuts by Wolfgang Klein, the author’s father, the book won a cover award with the Midwest Independent Publishers Association. This book found its place at the Minnesota Historical Society’s permanent library collection.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed every poem in Evelyn Klein’s From Here Across the Bridge”
~Maxine A. Larson, Regent Midwest Chaparral Poets
IN THE PRESS
Evelyn's storytelling is captivating and thought-provoking. Her ability to weave intricate narratives makes her a standout author.
Evelyn Klein's books are a must-read for anyone who loves deep, emotional stories. Her writing resonates long after the last page.
With a unique voice and compelling characters, Evelyn Klein has become one of my favorite authors. Highly recommend her work!
BIO
Evelyn D. Klein is a versatile author, educator, and artist known for her thought-provoking poetry, essays, and books. With a commitment to exploring themes of personal growth and community, Evelyn invites readers to engage with her literary and artistic vision.
Education and Professional Background
Evelyn Klein holds a B.S. in Secondary Education from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and an M.S.T. in English from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls.
Evelyn has taught in public schools in Wisconsin and Minnesota, as well as at Century College and the Loft Literary Center. She currently works as a writing consultant and editor and is an independent scholar.
Publications
A prize-winning poet with Midwest Chaparral Poets, the Minneapolis Family Housing Fund’s “Home Sweet Home Again” exhibit and the Minnesota Jung Association, among others, Klein’s articles, essays, and poetry have appeared in numerous newspapers, journals, and anthologies, including Hudson Star Observer, Saint Paul Almanac, The Wind Blows the Wind Breaks, County Lines, MJA Elements, Scholars Without Walls, The Minnesota Scholar, and This Was 2020.
As a result of facilitating a poetry group at the Loft Literary Center, Klein edited the poetry anthology Stage Two: Poetic Lives, featuring illustrations by her father, Wolfgang Klein. She served as editor and contributor of The Minnesota Scholar for nine years and publishes her own newsletter, The Write Connection.
Her first book, From Here Across the Bridge, published in 2006, is a poetry memoir, illustrated with woodcuts by Wolfgang Klein, winning a cover award from the Midwest Independent Book Publishers Association. Her second and third books combine poetry, prose and Evelyn’s own art. Once upon a Neighborhood, published in 2009, explores community life in the Twin Cities, while Seasons of Desire, published in 2012, reflects on the seasons of life and pursuit of one’s dreams. In 2020, she published her fourth book of poetry and art, Fear and Promise: Remembering the Year 2020. The four books of poetry, prose and art, along with Scholars Without Walls, where she was one of the editors and contributors, are now part of the Minnesota Historical Society’s permanent library collection.
Her latest book, Power Behind Your Writing: What Every Writer Needs to Know offers insight and guidance for writers to strengthen their craft, a handy reference for editors, and strategy and writing models for teachers. Klein also has a new book forthcoming: Call of the Lake, Poetry and Illustrations, scheduled for release in September 2026.
Literary and Artistic Background
From an early age, Evelyn Klein found her way to writing. It was something she naturally enjoyed because it simply felt right. Writing, literature, and language were always her favorite subjects in school, offering what felt like an excursion into the secrets of living. It seemed only natural that she would pursue these interests as part of her secondary education studies and her path into teaching.
Her love of writing soon grew from long letters home to professional writing, newspaper articles, and poetry composed in her spare time. Yet it took a study of Virginia Woolf, seven years of facilitating a poetry group at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis, and editing the group’s poetry anthology, Stage Two Poetic Lives, before she felt ready to publish her first book of poetry, From Here Across the Bridge.
Today, Evelyn finds inspiration for both writing and art in the pages of everyday life—in people, family, and especially nature. Long walks in nature often provide the spark for something new. Sometimes, the most intriguing part of her creative process is discovering where to begin: with a drawing, a poem, a story, or an essay.