Raven Oak

Raven Oak (born December 21, 1977 in Riverside, California) is an American author, whose written works range from science fiction & fantasy to mystery and young adult literature. She is also a singer, pianist and songwriter, whose works deal with the survival side of life. As a survivor of both abuse and an attempted rape, Raven Oak strove to free herself from the confines of the silence often present in victims of abuse and rape.

She grew up in many places around the U.S. including Florida and Texas, where she eventually attended Richland College and later the University of North Texas as a music major. She received both her Bachelor's and Master's degree from UNT.

Her first CD, "Walls, Boxes, & Jars", was written when her attempts at writing music for college music classes resulted in being "shoved into one category or another." After years of struggling with issues resulting from abuse growing up, Raven Oak wrote through her own therapy in her poetry book "Fading". Both her CD and poetry book donate to RAINN, the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network. RAINN, founded by singer/pianist Tori Amos, is America's only national hotline for rape and abuse.

"After working through the horrors in my life, I really wanted to give back to a resource that helps so many people. Victims tend to stay victims--I wanted to learn how to be a survivor. RAINN helped with that."

Of Raven's music, Score! Music says: "Perfectly stunning musical compositions that, though they lack vocals, do not lack in emotional impact; it’s as though one can venture inside Raven’s being through her beautiful piano work. Think Tori Amos unplugged and without lyrics." Splendid E-Zine says, "...Oak transcends the damning excesses of the Lilith Fair ghetto...if it's the job of a musician to tell stories through her instruments, Raven Oak does her job exceedingly well."

Currently residing in Little Elm, Texas, Raven Oak is currently working on her second album, tentatively titled "Fight or Flight," as well a book inspired by her life, and several science fiction/fantasy novels.