BIO. CYNTHIA ATKINS:

Originally from Chicago, Il, Cynthia Atkins received a BFA and MA from the University of Illinois and an MFA from Columbia University’s School of the Arts. Her first collection of poems, “Psyche’s Weathers” (WordTech 2007) is available for ordering on Amazon.com , book cover by Scott Kattenbraker, painting is titled "Liberty."

Her poems have appeared or are forthcoming in many journals including, AMERICAN LETTERS & COMMENTARY, BLOOMSBURY REVIEW, BOMB, CAKETRAIN, CHELSEA, DENVER QUARTERLY, FLORIDA REVIEW, GOOD FOOT, NEW YORK QUARTERLY, NORTH DAKOTA REVIEW, PEARL, SEATTLE REVIEW, SENECA REVIEW, SOU’WESTER, THE TEXAS REVIEW, and VERSE, among others, and also in the anthologies “In Our Own Words: A Generation Defining Itself” and “Blues For Bill: A Tribute to William Matthews.” (Akron Press, 2005). Atkins' work was recently featured on Verse Daily: http://www.versedaily.org/2009/aboutcynthiaatkinspw.shtml . Her honors and awards include, The New Voice Award from the Writers' Voice, and Writers@Work Competition, as well as residencies from the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and Breadloaf 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, Mary Baldwin College, Virginia Military Institute, and currently at Roanoke College in Salem, VA. Atkins was also artistic director of Writers @ Jordan House/FAIR (reading series and workshops). She lives on the Maury River of Rockbridge County, VA. with her husband, writer/woodworker, Phillip Welch, and their family, rabbit, rooster, and Geiko in ‘sleep-deprived’ heaven.