Melissa Studdard is the author of several books, including the poetry collection "I Ate the Cosmos for Breakfast," the poetry chapbook "Like a Bird with a Thousand Wings," and the young adult novel "Six Weeks to Yehidah."

Born in Alabama, Melissa Studdard is a professor at Lone Star College–Tomball in Texas.

She hosts and produces VIDA Voices & Views for Vida: Women in Literary Arts. In her podcast work she has interviewed such figures as Jane Hirshfield, Rita Dove, Julia Cameron, Robert Pinsky, Patricia Smith, Cheryl Strayed, Joy Harjo, and Krista Tippett.

Studdard is also a past president of the Women's Caucus and moderated their annual meeting at the Association of Writers & Writing Programs conference. She is also an honorary Professor at the International Art Academy in Volos, Greece.