Cynthia Atkins was born and raised in Chicago, Il, receiving a BFA and an MA from the University of Illinois and an MFA from Columbia University’s School of the Arts. She is the author of Psyche’s Weathers and In The Event of Full Disclosure. (Wordtech, 2013), with themes of mental illness/wellness and family life. Her poems have appeared in numerous journals, including, Alaska Quarterly Review, American Letters & Commentary, BOMB, Del Sol Review, Florida Review, Green Mountains Review, Harpur Palate, The Journal, North American Review, Seneca Review, Sou’wester,  Tampa Review, Valparaiso Review and Verse Daily, among others. Atkins’ poems were nominated for a 2011 Pushcart Prize. Her awards and honors include The New Voice Award from the Writer’s Voice, as well as residencies from the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and Bread Loaf Writers' Conference.Formerly, Atkins worked as assistant director for the Poetry Society of America. She has taught English and Creative Writing at various colleges including, Sweet Briar College, Hollins University, James Madison University and Roanoke College. For eight years, she was founder and artistic director of Writers @ Jordan House/FAIR (reading series and workshops). She is currently Assistant Professor of English at Virginia Western Community College and the newly minted Associate Poetry Editor for MadHat Lit (http://madhatlit.com/masthead/). Atkins is also a visual artist and currently lives on the Maury River of Rockbridge County, VA with artist Phillip Welch (www.phillipwelchdesigns.com) and their family.