Partow Nooriala, an Iranian poet, writer and literary critic, received a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Tehran University, and a Master of Science degree in Social Work Management from the University of Social Work in Tehran, Iran. After receiving her degrees, in 1978, Nooriala taught Philosophy and worked as a social worker in Tehran University.

Nooriala was forced to stop teaching at the University by the Islamic regime. She then opened Damaavand Publications in Tehran with the help of two female friends thus becoming the first female publishers in Iran. However, within three years, the Islamic Regime’s enforcement guards shut down the publication as well.

In 1986 Partow Nooriala came to the United States with her two children and began a new life in Los Angeles. She has been employed by the Los Angeles County Superior Court (Jury Division) since 1988 as a Deputy Jury Commissioner while keeping an active and fruitful literary career.

Partow Nooriala has published four books of poems. Her first collection, Sahmi Az Salha (A Share of the Years) was banned in Iran for years and was finally released in 1979. Az Cheshme Baad (Of the Eye of the Wind), was published in Los Angeles in 1987. The 36 poems of this collection revolve mainly around the 1979 revolution and its aftermath. Zaminam Digar Shod (My Earth Altered), saw publication in Los Angeles in 1993. In this book, we witness the emergence of a significant and complex poetic female character. Her fourth book of poems Selseleh Bar Dast (With Chained Hands in this House of Fortune) will be published in a selection of poems entitled Chahar Rouyesh (Four Springs).

For over two decades, Nooriala has also published literary and cinematic reviews, in various journals inside and outside the country. Dow Naghd, a collection of two reviews, was first published in 1985 in Iran, and again in California in 1987. One of her critical essays was awarded the first prize for best critical review by Nashr- Baran publications in Sweden. A collection of critiques, Honar va Agaahi (Art and Awareness) which was published in 1999 was printed in second edition in 2004.

Nooriala has also published a collection of short stories, Mesle Man (Like Me), and a play Fardaaye Mihan (Mihan’s Future) in 2003.

She is presently working on How Iranian Classical Poems Changed to Modern Poetry, and A Review of Women’s Roles in Post Revolutionary Iranian Movies, which will be published in the near future.