E. Katherine Kottaras

E. Katherine Kottaras is a contemplative writer, holistic teacher, and multimedia artist. As an Associate Professor of English at the community college level, she's proud of her work as a writing and mindfulness teacher for over two decades. She holds an M.A. in English from the University of California, Irvine, and an M.S. in Kinesiology, with a focus on Integrative Wellness, from Point Loma Nazarene University.

Katherine is the author of the critically-acclaimed young adult contemporary novels, HOW TO BE BRAVE (St. Martin’s Press, 2015) and THE BEST POSSIBLE ANSWER (St. Martin’s Press, 2016). She co-created YOGA ELEONORA on PillowFortTV, and she co-wrote the forthcoming picture book, A RAINBOW INSIDE MY BODY, with Vanitha Swaminathan, illustrated by Holly Hatam (Viking 2024).

As a registered yoga teacher, an ACE-certified personal trainer, and an ACE-certified health coach, Katherine is passionate about bodily self-determination and health equity. She lives with chronic, invisible illness, and as such, she believes in holistic and inclusive approaches to expression, healing, and growth for all. In June 2023, her visual art piece, YOU WERE BORN OF LOVE, was selected by glendaleOUT for their exhibit, “MAPPING MY QUEER: Body Mapping Our Queer Identity," hosted by the Glendale Library, Arts & Culture. She's grateful for holistic opportunities to meditate on her body’s histories, presence, and healing futures through her written and visual works.

She has served as a board member for the Children's Literature Council of Southern California and as a volunteer for We Need Diverse Books. Honored as PCC's 2019 Ally of the Year and recipient of the 2021 Above and Beyond Award, she champions marginalized students.

Interested in how storytelling can (re)connect and (re)define worlds, Katherine believes in an inclusive, empathetic, and loving future. Outside of her work, she enjoys gardening, woodworking, crafting, snuggling with fluffy animals, hiking, and drawing on kitchen walls.