Bio: |
Linda Back McKay has been a professional writer and poet for more than 20 years. She is author of the poetry collections, The Cockeyed Precision of Time (2007, White Space Press), Ride That Full Tilt Boogie (2001, North Star Press) and the nonfiction book, Shadow Mothers: Stories of Adoption and Reunion (1998 North Star Press) McKay was creative consultant for “Watermelon Hill,” a play inspired by Shadow Mothers, produced by the History Theatre in St. Paul. She is also an independent commercial writer andcreative director.
McKay’s poetry, stories, essays, creative nonfiction and articles have been widely published throughout the USA and Canada in publications such as 33 Minnesota Poets, Water-Stone, To Sing Along the Way, Adoptive Families of America and Great River Review. Honors include residency fellowships from the Anderson Center of Interdisciplinary Studies and Norcroft Women’s Writing Retreat, first prize in a SASE/Borders poetry contest, first prize in a California State Poetry Society contest and other awards. Her creative nonfiction essay, “Breathing From the Front Row” was read on WCAL radio in Northfield, MN, a winner in a competition of piano essays.
McKay works as a teaching artist in the field of literary arts, specializing in poetry and poetic prose writing. She is a roster artist with Young Audiences of Minnesota, VSA arts of Minnesota, Upstream Arts and the South Dakota Arts Council. She has been a featured speaker for the American Penwomen’s Association, private groups such as Rotary and featured reader and facilitator at other events. She is an instructor at The Loft Literary Center.
McKay has appeared on local TV programs, including an interview with Carol Connolly for the “Northern Lights” literary series. In connection with Shadow Mothers, she has given dozens of radio interviews on commercial and public stations including Minnesota Public Radio, Wisconsin Public Radio, KFAI Radio, CFPL, London, Ontario and others. McKay continues to be deeply dedicated to her teaching and artistic pursuits. Her creative nonfiction book, MotoDivas: Lipstick, Leather and the Lure of the Ride, awaits publication, and she is at work on a new poetry collection and a novel.
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