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Melinda Palacio

Poet Laureate of Santa Barbara, Author, Journalist, and Speaker

Academy of American Poets

Santa Barbara’s 10th Poet Laureate

La Decima Poeta Laureada de Santa Barbara, Melinda Palacio

“Palacio’s poet’s eye reveals a vibrantly painted desert culture of fragile beauty and uncompromised harshness.” Publishers Weekly

Ocotillo Dreams, Arizona State University Bilingual Press, Pen Oakland Josephine Miles Aard for Excellence in Literature, Mariposa Award for Best First Book, International Latino Book Awards, Finalist Premio Atzlan, the National Hispanic Cultural Center.

2012 How Fire Is a Story, Waiting, Tía Chucha Press, Binghampton University Milt Kessler Award Finalist, Patterson Poetry Prize Finalist, First Place in Poetry at the 2013 International Latino Book Awards.

Bird Forgiveness, 3: A Taos Press “This is a delightful,unforgettable book from a marvelous talent at the top of her game.” Lee Herrick, California Poet Laureate