Tess Gallagher is an American poet, playwright, and short story writer. She is best known for her poetry collections, such as At the Owl Woman Saloon and Instructions to the Double. Gallagher was born in Port Angeles, Washington, and attended the University of Washington, where she earned a BA in English Literature. She has also taught at the University of Montana and the University of Alaska. Gallagher's work has been widely praised and she has won numerous awards, including the Pushcart Prize and the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Award.