Biographer Mary K. Stillwell read and signed her new book “The Life and Poetry of Ted Kooser” for students and the public at the Octagon in Ames.

Stillwell based her book around ISU graduate Ted Kooser, who graduated from the university in 1961, which was a reason for her returning to Ames for the book signing.

The book describes his life and his poetry and how they’re closely related Stillwell said.

Kooser was the U.S. Poet Laureate from 2004 to 2006, which means he served as the head poet of the United States.

“He was a humble person,” said Audrey Marley, who attended the event on Tuesday. “A very gifted individual.”

At the event Stillwell signed her own book, which focused on the life of Kooser but books by the famous poet were also available to the audience. These books included “Bag In The Wind,” “House Held up by the Trees,” “The Blizzard Voices,” and “Flying at Night.”

“He would write a poem and the poem would be there [in The Des Moines Register] on a regular basis,” said Judy Fausch, who attended the event. “I feel like I can relate to his poems.”

Stillwell is a Nebraska native and studied writing in New York with Kooser. She earned her Ph.D. in plains literature from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Stillwell wrote a biography about Kooser’s life because when she was in graduate school she said little had been written about both his life and poetry.

“Once he was awarded the poet laureate of the U.S., people wanted to know more, and I had studied with him at school, and I had followed his work for many years,” Stillwell said about why she wrote the book.

Stillwell also explained what she thought was outstanding about Kooser’s work.

“I think it’s probably the consistent developing and deepening of his use of metaphor on the way he compares things,” she said.

Stillwell’s favorite memory with Kooser was when he gave her a tour of all his favorite places and where he got inspired.

“He was down to earth,” Fausch said, “Something about him was so intriguing.”

Kathy Svec, co-president of Ames Historical Society, was the coordinator of the event for Tuesday night, which was at the Octagon Center for the Arts.

Stillwell read samples from the book and answered questions from the audience.

Kooser was featured in The Des Moines Register in 2004, and Marley also said his pieces would appear in the Ames Tribune regularly.