Belinda Anderson holds a bachelor's degree in news-editorial journalism and a master's of liberal arts studies.  She's written for such publications as The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Goldenseal, Wonderful West Virginia, Book Page and Writers' Journal, among others.

    She was a recipient of a professional development grant from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission for the Arts. 

    Belinda often presents readings and fiction and nonfiction workshops.  In 2004, Belinda was inducted into the ranks of those authors and literary figures who appear on the first official Literary Map of West Virginia.  Her first collection of award-winning short stories, The Well Ain't Dry Yet, was published in 2001 by Mountain State Press.   Her second collection of short stories, The Bingo Cheaters, was published by Mountain State Press in 2006.

    "We are enriched, both as children and adults, by the creative acts of reading and writing.  Reading engages our imagination and writing gives us the opportunity to connect with one another. 

    "When I speak in elementary school classrooms, I discuss the differences between fiction and nonfiction and invite the children to tell me about their favorite books. Then I lead them through the writing of a story and am always delighted with the directions their creative minds take.

    "`Everyone is original, talented and has something to say.' Brenda Ueland wrote that in 1938, and that's the message I bring to adult writing workshops. I love to see the creative blossoming that results when people are encouraged to write that poem, short story, or family memory that's been locked inside them like a bit of buried treasure."