Sara Quinn Rivara (she/her) is the author of three collections of poetry: Little Beast (Riot in Your Throat Press, 2023) finalist for the 2024 Oregon Book Awards in Poetry, Animal Bride (Tinderbox Editions, 2019) and Lake Effect (Aldrich Press, 2013). Her work is rooted in place and focuses on gender, myth, fairytale, domestic violence, motherhood, and the ways a female-identified person moves through an often hostile world.

A classically trained contralto, she has performed widely in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest, and currently sings with In Medio, a semi-professional chamber choir, and the Light Opera of Portland.

Sara holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the Program For Writers at Warren Wilson College, and a BA in English and Music from Kalamazoo College. Since 2000, she has been a tenured instructor, department chair, and dean at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Mt. Hood Community College in Michigan and Oregon, and is committed to equity-centered education for all students.

Born and raised in the Great Lakes, she moved to Portland in 2014 and lives with her husband,son and stepson on a tiny urban permaculture homestead.

Sara can be booked for featured readings, poetry workshops, craft/guest lectures, vocal coaching for writers and readers, and as a performer.