Terry Wolverton grew up in Detroit and was influenced by the tough spirit, working class consciousness and African-American culture of that city. In 1976, she moved to Los Angeles to be part of the feminist art movement and the Woman's Building. In addition to writing, she has created performance art and experimental theater and exhibited visual art. She teaches fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction at the Los Angeles writing center she founded, Writers At Work, has edited numerous literary anthologies and consults with nonprofit organizations. She has received Fellowships from the California Arts Council and the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department. She is also a certified instructor of Kundalini Yoga.