Cynthia Neale is the author of three historical fiction novels and holds a B.A. in Writing and Literature from Vermont College. She writes screenplays, plays, short stories, and essays. She has long possessed an interest in the tragedies and triumphs of the Irish during The Great Hunger. She is an Irish set dancer and enjoys traveling; reading; art classes and painting; baking fanciful desserts; hiking and kayaking; creating events for fundraisers; laughing until it hurts and dreaming about possibilities. Neale is currently researching and writing a novel about a Native American woman who lived in the 18th-century and is also working on a sequel to her third novel about an Irish-American woman. She has written a dessert/essay book titled, Pavlova in a Hatbox, and is seeking a publisher for this work. Since 2004, Cynthia Neale has participated in conferences, festivals, educators' panels, local author events, fundraising events, American Girl Clubs, talks, and signings at libraries.