Meet a Board Member: Raga Ayyagari

‍Yellow Arrow Publishing would like to introduce Raga Ayyagari, a board member. Raga draws inspiration from nature, stories, music, and unexpected moments of connection. Whether she is writing policy briefs, scientific reports, or poems, she enjoys reflecting on and sharing observations and experiences in accessible and creative ways. Her poems have appeared in the Banyan Review, Beltway Poetry Quarterly, Yellow Arrow Journal, and Stanford University Leland Quarterly Journal. She has shared poetry at various readings, contributed to a poetry and art exhibit with Art Enables, and facilitated several workshops on ecopoetry.

Raga says, “Yellow Arrow Publishing has nurtured me as a writer and teacher over the years, and I am excited to pay this forward by supporting the organization and community of writers as a Board Member.”

Tell us a little something about yourself:

I enjoy listening to and making music, volunteering in my community, taking care of animals, and exploring libraries and community gardens.

What do you love most about where you live?

I currently live in the Bay Area and enjoy the natural beauty, cultural diversity, and caring community here.

How did you get involved with Yellow Arrow and what do you do for us?

Yellow Arrow has been a supportive and inspiring catalyst for my writing career. I learned about Yellow Arrow through an in-person literary event in Washington, D.C., in 2019. I published poems in two of the journal issues and participated in two readings, which gave me the confidence to keep writing, publishing, and reading. I also led two workshops on ecopoetry and nature poetry through Yellow Arrow and really enjoyed the process of preparing and delivering the curriculum. I appreciate how welcoming and nurturing the Yellow Arrow = team has been for me, and I am excited to give back to the organization as a board member.

What are you working on currently?

I am enjoying working on learning new music and vocal techniques.

What genre do you write and read the most and why?

I enjoy writing poems. Poetry offers so much flexibility while also providing useful structures to express emotions and experiences. I appreciate how writing poems helps me be present, take time to observe the worlds within and around me, and explore different styles of expression.

I enjoy reading autobiographies because I am fascinated by how people reflect on and share their life experiences.

Can you recall an early memory that might have sparked your love of writing/reading?

My parents introduced me to the joy of reading and writing in Telugu and English at an early age, helping me and my sister carry heavy bags of books from the public library in Texas each week and patiently teaching us the Telugu alphabet. Growing up, I enjoyed writing stories with my sister and had several teachers who encouraged me to continue writing.

What book is on the top of your to-be-read pile?

You Are Here, a poetry anthology edited by Ada Limon.

Who has inspired and/or supported you most in your writing journey or in everyday life?

I am grateful to several writing teachers and literary friends who inspired me to keep practicing reading and writing and introduced me to different opportunities to learn and share my work.

If you could have a workspace anywhere, where would it be and why? What would it look like?

I prefer calm workspaces with gentle lighting.

What advice do you have for new writers or anyone starting a new adventure?

Creating a supportive community of writers, whether through classes, events, or other connections, can open new opportunities, help with accountability, and make the creative journey more fulfilling.

What’s your vision for Yellow Arrow in 2026?

To help secure resources and nurture partnerships to expand the reach of Yellow Arrow’s offerings for writers. ‍

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Yellow Arrow Publishing is a nonprofit supporting women-identifying writers through publication and access to the literary arts. You can support us as we LUMINATE a path for women-identifying creatives this year by purchasing one of our publications or a workshop from the Yellow Arrow bookstore, for yourself or as a gift, joining our newsletter, following us on  Facebook and Instagram, or subscribing to our  YouTube channel. Donations are appreciated via PayPal (staff@yellowarrowpublishing.com), Venmo (@yellowarrowpublishing), or US mail (PO Box 65185, Baltimore, Maryland 21209). More than anything, messages of support through any one of our channels are greatly appreciated.