Cindy Skaggs

Bio

Cindy Skaggs is a writer with seven years of experience teaching creative writing in higher education with seven novel publications, two novellas, multiple journal publications in creative nonfiction, and a Pushcart nomination. She has a deep understanding of the publishing ecosystem, marketing for writers, and the writing craft in both fiction and creative nonfiction. She has mentored more than twenty thesis novels, several of which have gone on to publication, and the writers themselves have grown to understand the literary landscape so that the writers gain valuable writing skills but also know how and where to seek publication.

Education

BS in Marketing Management; MA in Creative Writing from Regis University; MPhil in Irish Writing from Trinity College Dublin; MFA in Creative Writing from Pacific Lutheran University

Professional Background

Prior to the pandemic and during the initial months of lockdowns, she spearheaded the Expressive Writing Workshop for veterans, family members and caregivers in conjunction with Colorado Humanities and funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. Understanding that writing is an art, but also therapeutic, she utilizes the skillset to teach Writing as Healing, Memoir, Personal Essay and other forms of creative nonfiction.

One focus of her research is trauma writing in the works of Frank O’Connor, and the process of healing from trauma and collective trauma in fiction and nonfiction. She gained valuable research experience working in a metropolitan library system, which served as a basis for more advanced research at Trinity College Dublin where she utilized the early manuscripts archives in addition to the collection at the National Library of Ireland. Her research interests focus on trauma writing, Irish writing, James Joyce, Mary Lavin and literary modernity.