Colleen Morton Busch

Poet, Creative Nonfiction Writer

San Francisco Bay Area, CA

California US

Website:

www.colleenmortonbusch.com

Author's Bio

Colleen Morton Busch is the author of the nonfiction book Fire Monks: Zen Mind Meets Wildfire, named a best book of the year by Publishers Weekly, the San Francisco Chronicle, and Barnes and Noble. She earned her MFA in poetry from Pennsylvania State University. Her debut poetry collection, Smolder, was chosen by Felicia Zamora to win Ex Ophidia Press's 2025 Richard-Gabriel Rummonds Poetry Contest and was published in June of 2026. She currently serves as board president at the Berkeley Zen Center.

Writers Retreats:

Hambidge Creative Residency Program

Vermont Studio Center

Virginia Center for the Creative Arts

Publications & Prizes

Creative Nonfiction

Book:

Fire Monks: Zen Mind Meets Wildfire (Penguin Press, 2011)

Poetry

Book:

Smolder (Ex Ophidia Press, 2026)

Prizes won:

Richard-Gabriel Rummonds Poetry Prize

More Information

Gives readings:

Yes

Travels for readings:

Yes

Prefers to work with:

Illness/Wellness, Incarcerated Individuals, Naturalists/Environmentalists, Seniors, Spirituality, Women

Born in:

Raised in:

Please note: All information in the Directory is provided by the listed writers or their representatives.

Last update: Aug 09, 2026