Catherine Arturi Parilla is a poet, fiction writer, and educator whose work explores the subtle textures of memory and human connection. With a Ph.D. in comparative literature from New York University and over twenty-five years of teaching experience, she brings scholarly depth and creative insight to her writing and instruction.

Her poetry manuscript, "Stones from the Vault," was recognized as a finalist for the 2018 Lauria/Frasca Prize and long-listed for the 2018 Sexton Prize. Her poems—described as "stills and shadows of memory and everyday life"—have appeared in numerous literary journals including Painted Bride Quarterly, POEM, Wisconsin Review, and Crack the Spine. Catherine’s novel was long-listed in the C&R Press 2024 Prize in Fiction.

Though poetry has been her primary focus for two decades, Catherine has more recently turned her attention to fiction, crafting stories that examine what remains unspoken in human relationships. Her short stories have found homes in Evening Review, Paperplates, Avalon Literary Review, Sacramento Review, and other publications.

As an educator, Catherine has taught academic and creative writing at New York University, Montclair State University, and Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she served as a senior lecturer for ten years. Her published dissertation, "The Theory for Reading Dramatic Texts," reflects her scholarly interest in literary analysis.

Catherine is a storyteller at heart, but beyond her writing and teaching, she’s full of adventure and curiosity. Whether she’s soaring in a hot air balloon, navigating white-water rapids, or exploring the Anasazi caves, Catherine embraces each new experience with enthusiasm.

When she’s not exploring the world, she loves hiking in new places, experimenting with baking and testing out new recipes, and keeping her mind sharp with Sudoku puzzles. Of course, reading remains one of her favorite pastimes. There’s always a story waiting to capture her imagination.

Catherine’s life is a blend of adventure, creativity, and curiosity—both on the page and off.