Pam Parker, author & speaker, writes fiction & nonfiction from wherever she is, most often the Midwestern U.S., but she loves visiting her native New England & her adopted country, Scotland. She holds an MFA in fiction from Sierra Nevada Univ, 2020. Her stories & essays have appeared in HYPERTEXT MAGAZINE, THE WASHINGTON POST (and by syndicate, all over the U.S., Canada, New Zealand), PRESBYTERIAN OUTLOOK, THE POTOMAC REVIEW, three anthologies, and numerous other print and electronic venues. Her audio-essay, “The End of Pinktober,” on WUWM, WI Public Radio, won 1st place, large market essay from the WI Broadcasters Assoc. Her writing has also been recognized by the WI Acad. of Arts, Sciences & Letters and the WI Writers Assoc.. With Kathy Lanzarotti, she co-edited the anthology, DONE DARKNESS from Orange Hat Press, a collection about moving past depression. Her writing often explores surviving and resilience; finding identity and meaning; the dignity found in the fabric of family; advocating for the struggling — especially those who’ve had breast cancer and/or depression, as she has. She tries to be an encourager, a smile bringer, and a blessing to others, whenever she can.