A.J. Rathbun is an author, mixologist,[1] poet, and cooking instructor based in Seattle, Washington. Rathbun's books include Good Spirits (The Harvard Common Press, 2007) which won an award for Best Food Styling and Photography from the International Association of Culinary Professionals, Luscious Liqueurs (The Harvard Common Press, 2008), and Party Drinks! (The Harvard Common Press, 2004), as well as the poetry collection Want (ZYZZYVA/Creative Arts, 2000)
Rathbun grew up in Manhattan, Kansas, and earned his MFA in creative writing from Western Michigan University. He has worked variously as an usher at The Art Institute of Chicago, rock band roadie, envelope stuffer, marketing assistant, director of the Poetry After Hours program at the Seattle Art Museum, waiter, and bartender, and was co-editor of the literary magazine LitRag. He has hosted numerous poetry readings and has spoken at events for LitRag.
Rathbun has been a guest on several radio shows including Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food satellite radio program, and has contributed to the magazines Every Day With Rachael Ray and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. He is a member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals and The Museum of the American Cocktail. He also teaches cocktail classes at the cooking school Dish It Up, in Seattle.