Casey Seiler reports at Capitol Confidential Gov. Andrew Cuomo has appointed Marie Howe to serve as the State Poet and Alison Lurieas the State Author. Both are the 10th to hold the two-year titles, which were established under the administration of Cuomo’s father, Gov. Mario Cuomo. Howe is the author of three books of poetry and is co-editor of a highly-praised anthology of writing on AIDS. Her poetry is widely admired for seeking answers to metaphysical questions in ordinary day-to-day experience. Howe succeeds Jean Valentine as NYS Poet.

Alison Lurie is the author of ten novels, a short story collection, and several children’s books and works on nonfiction. She is widely regarded as the Jane Austen of contemporary American letters for her nuanced understanding and lifelike portrayal of social customs and the relationship between the sexes. Lurie succeeds Mary Gordon as NYS Author. The State Poet and Author are selected for two-year terms by the NYS Writers Institute, located at the University at Albany, SUNY. The choice is based on a substantial body of work of notable literary merit. Hudson resident John Ashbery served as State Poet from 2001 to 2003. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential.