Vickie Vertiz

Vickie Vertiz is a Lecturer in the Writing Program at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), within the College of Letters and Science. Her teaching focuses on creative nonfiction, Chicanx Studies writing, Gender Studies, and composition. She holds an M.F.A. in Nonfiction from UC Riverside, a Master’s in Public Affairs from UT Austin, and a B.A. in Political Science from Williams College.

Vertiz’s research explores drag culture, queer and feminist art/performance, experimental writing, and community-engaged literature. Her award-winning poetry collection *Palm Frond with Its Throat Cut* (2018) earned the PEN America Prize, while her follow-up *Auto/Body* (2023) delves into Chicano identity and urban narratives. She frequently publishes in outlets like the New York Times Magazine, KCET, and the Los Angeles Review of Books.

Her activism spans social justice and cultural preservation, including critiques of gentrification in Southeast LA and advocacy for marginalized artists. Vertiz has organized literary events nationwide, including AWP panels and readings at venues like Syracuse University. She also mentors emerging writers through programs like LibroMobile and virtual workshops.