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. The West Virginia Division of Culture and History has named her a Master Artist to work as a mentor with emerging writers.

    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 collections of award-winning short stories, The Well Ain't Dry Yet, The Bingo Cheaters, and Buckle Up, Buttercup have been published by Mountain State Press.  Her most recent book of fiction is a middle-grade novel called Jackson vs. Witchy Wanda: Making Kid Soup, published by Mountain State Press in 2013 and available online from the website of Mountain State Press and Amazon.com.

    Her most recent nonfiction is Alderson West Virginia: History Highlights and Tantalizing Tidbits-- an ongoing series of booklets filled with interesting events and people from throughout the history of Alderson, W.Va, now into 7 volumes.

    "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."