Stories that inspire and delight.
Cynthia Mackey: Biography
(updated October 12, 2023)
SHORT BIO:
Cynthia Mackey’s poetry appears in The Toy, The Dirigible Balloon and Little Thoughts Press. Her debut picture book, If a Bumblebee Lands on Your Toe, will be published by Yeehoo Press in March 2025 and her second picture book, Butterfly Sea, is set for release with Tielmour Press in December 2025. Cynthia lives with her husband in Victoria, Canada. For more info, see booksbycindy.com
LONGER BIO:
Cynthia Mackey’s poetry appears in The Toy, The Dirigible Balloon and Little Thoughts Press, Hit the Road magazine. Her debut picture book, If a Bumblebee Lands on Your Toe is set for publication with Yeehoo Press in March 2025 and her second picture book, Butterfly Sea, is set for release with Tielmour Press in December 2025. She was mentored by highly acclaimed Canadian author, Jean E. Pendziwol. With a Bachelor of Education degree, Cynthia has devoted her life to early years education. She presents workshops for colleagues and mentors new educators in the Early Years field. She views children as capable beings and works to bring elements of joy, playfulness, and social-emotional learning to her writing. For more information, visit her website at booksbycindy.com
If you’re considering a choice between self-publishing or traditional publishing for your picture book, click the link above to learn more.
Why I Write: I write to engage in the joy and playfulness of the creative process. I write to explore the connections between human beings and the natural world and to explore empathy for living things.
About my works in progress:
I’m captivated by all the little things in nature. The things that draw children’s attention. I often wonder what compels children to become curious about banana slugs, bumblebees, hummingbirds or ladybugs. I write stories about things that are small but powerful. Picture books are my first love, and I am working on developing my skills in writing early readers and early chapter books. I love the novel in verse format.
I’m a musician in my spare time, and I love the rhythm of language so lyrical writing is a natural choice for me, but if you read my poem Why Teachers Need Tuna, you’ll know that I enjoy writing humour just as much.
There are so many books that inspire me. Here are a few…
-My Best Friend by Julie Fogliano and Jillian Tamaki
-When I Listen to Silence by Jean E. Pendziwol and Carmen Mok
-The Big Red Lollipop by Rukshana Kahn and Sophie Blackall
-Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel