Maya Jewell Zeller (she/her/hers) was born on the Oregon Coast, and has lived in the Northwest most of her life. She has taught writing and literature at the high school, community college, and university levels. She is the author of the memoir RAISED BY FERNS; the lyric introduction to fungi phenomena, THE WONDER OF MUSHROOMS; and the poetry collections OUT TAKES/ GLOVE BOX; RUST FISH; YESTERDAY, THE BEES; and ALCHEMY FOR CELLS & OTHER BEASTS (a collaboration with visual artist Carrie DeBacker). She is also the co-author, with Kathryn Nuernberger, of ADVANCED POETRY: A WRITER'S GUIDE AND ANTHOLOGY; and co-editor, with Sharma Shields, of EVERGREEN: GRIM TALES & VERSES FROM THE GLOOMY NORTHWEST. Maya teaches creative writing at Central Washington University, and nature writing and poetry in the low-residency MFA of Western Colorado University. She lives in the PNW with her two children and two tuxedo cats.