Maya Chinchilla

About the Author

Maya Chinchilla is a dynamic Guatemalan-American poet and performer whose work bridges the vibrant worlds of Latinx heritage and contemporary American life. Born in Guatemala and raised in the United States, she draws from her bilingual roots to explore themes of identity, migration, and cultural resilience in her evocative poetry. As a spoken-word artist and educator, Chinchilla has captivated audiences at literary festivals and universities, infusing her readings with rhythmic energy and personal storytelling. Her debut collection, The Cha Cha Files:: A Chapina Poética, celebrates the 'chapina' spirit through a tapestry of poems that dance between nostalgia and defiance, earning praise for its bold voice and cultural depth. Through her writing, she invites readers to cha-cha through the complexities of diaspora, fostering a deeper appreciation for the intersections of language and belonging.