Sarah Day was born in England but grew up in Tasmania. She was the poetry editor for Island magazine for seven years, as well as teaching at both the University of Tasmania and at year 12 level. She began publishing her own poetry in the 1980s, and her collection The Ship (2004) won the Queensland Premiers’ Judith Wright Calanthe Prize (2005) and the ACT Judith Wright Award (2005, joint-winner).
"Clarity of language and integrity of line are essential. My ear is always conscious of cadence, the sounds of words, independently and in combination, as I write."
Kinsella, John, editor. "Sarah Day." Landbridge: Contemporary Australian Poetry, Fremantle Arts Centre Press, 2001, p. 102.