Diana Arterian

Poet, Creative Nonfiction Writer, Translator

Los Angeles
US

Author's Bio

Diana Arterian is the author of the recent poetry collection Agrippina the Younger (Northwestern University Press/Curbstone, 2025). Her first book, Playing Monster :: Seiche, received a starred review in Publishers Weekly and was a Poetry Foundation Staff Pick. Smoke Drifts, her co-translation of Nadia Anjuman’s poetry done with Marina Omar, is forthcoming from World Poetry Books in fall of 2025. 

A Poetry Editor at Noemi Press and twice-finalist for the National Poetry Series, Diana’s creative work has been recognized with fellowships from the Banff Centre, Caldera, Millay Arts, Vermont Studio Center, and Yaddo. Her poetry, nonfiction, criticism, co-translations, and conversations have been featured by The Academy of American Poets, BOMBBrooklyn RailHarvard ReviewLos Angeles Review of BooksNPR, The New York Times Book Review, and Poetry, among others. She writes “The Annotated Nightstand” column at Lit Hub.

Diana holds a PhD in Literature & Creative Writing from the University of Southern California, an MFA in Poetry from CalArts, and has held teaching positions at CalArts, Fordham, Merrimack, and Wichita State. She lives in Los Angeles.

Publications & Prizes

Creative Nonfiction

Anthology:
Among Margins: Critical & Lyrical Writing on Aesthetics (Ricochet Editions, 2016)
Chapbook:
With Lightness & Darkness and Other Brief Pieces (Essay Press, 2017)

Poetry

Books:
Agrippina the Younger: Poems (Northwestern University Press, 2025)
,
Playing Monster :: Seiche (1913 Press, 2017)
Chapbook:
Death Centos (Ugly Duckling Presse, 2013)

Translation

Book:
Smoke Drifts (co-translator & editor) by Nadia Anjuman, translated from the Persian (World Poetry Books, 2025)

More Information

Gives readings: 
Yes
Travels for readings: 
Yes
Born in: 
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona
Raised in: 
Tempe, AZ
Arizona
Please note: All information in the Directory is provided by the listed writers or their representatives.
Last update: Sep 24, 2025