Cynthia Beach

Cynthia Beach is an American author, speaker, and longtime professor of creative writing. She writes both fiction and nonfiction.

Cynthia Beach holds a Bachelor of Arts from Cornerstone University. In 1990, she earned a Master of Arts in Journalism from Wheaton College Graduate School. Her academic career continued at the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts, where she earned a Master of Fine Arts.

Her career began in 1990 when she started teaching writing at the college level. "A journalism master's equipped me to teach and freelance," she explains. Over the years, she has written over two hundred articles for publications in Seattle and Grand Rapids. Her scholarly interests include exploring the historical contexts of Northern Ireland in the 1840s and West Michigan during the 1840s and 1850s.

In addition to textbooks and newspaper articles, Beach also published literary journals. Her notable books include a guide for writers Creative Juices (2019), and her debut novel, The Surface of Water (2020). Her approach combines practical advice with inspirational insights, fostering both the craft and the creative spirit of her readers and students.

In addition to her role as a professor, Beach is an active participant in the writing community. She co-founded the Breathe Christian Writers Conference and initiated The Write Season, a retreat for writers. She organizes workshops and works as a creative coach and editor to nurture new talent.

She was a fiction judge for Christianity Today's Best Book Awards in 2021. "Writers can be glitchy creatures," she says, emphasizing the need for supportive coaching to navigate the challenges of the writing process.

Cynthia Beach is currently working on a historical fiction series. She is also collaborating with acclaimed author Gary Schmidt to develop Scriptoria, a new writing workshop in West Michigan.

Photo credit: www.cynthiabeach.com