Nancy Rose, MFA, MST, RN is an award-winning fiction writer, essayist, literary consultant, developmental editor, Amherst Writers & Artists (AWA) Affiliate, and former editor of the literary journal Peregrine. Nancy teaches creative writing and leads writing workshops and retreats throughout the northeast. Since the early 80s, she has taught young writers, high school students, Five-College undergraduates, and adult writers. She specializes in short and long fiction, life-story writing, and essays. Her short stories and essays have appeared in literary journals, anthologies, magazines and periodicals, and have won awards.

In the middle of her career in community health, health care management, program development, and health education, Nancy became managing editor of Peregrine (AWAPress). For more than two decades, she served also as Peregrine‘s literary editor. She has been a member of the Amherst Health Care Advisory Board, an OB nurse, an ER nurse, an ASPO certified childbirth educator, lactation consultant, Red Cross instructor, communicable disease specialist to local boards of health, community health nurse, women’s reproductive health advocate, and visiting lecturer at the University of Massachusetts. Nancy serves on various committees, including the Pelham Council on Aging, the Pelham Democratic Town Committee, Amherst Neighbors, and International Episcopal Women. When weather cooperates, she flies with her pilot husband their Cessna Skyhawk. Nancy is a painter, calligrapher, and animal rehabilitator who lives in awe of all the wild animals who daily visit her mountainside dwelling.

Nancy is a currently licensed RN and member of the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA), the Massachusetts Nurses’ Association (MNA), and the Society for the Arts in Health Care, with expertise in family and community health, women’s health, reproductive health, health counseling, behavioral health, and wellness. She leads workshops and retreats for health care professionals and artists: for NURSES: Nurturing the Nurse; for all HEALTH CARE professionals: Narrative Transformation; and for ARTISTS: Integrative Imagery.

Charter Member: Straw Dog Writers Guild

Member: AWP (Assn. of Writers & Writing Programs)

Member: NAWE (Nat’l Assn. of Writers in Education)

Member: NAIWE (Nat’l Assn. of Independent Writers & Editors)

Member: TWC (Teachers & Writers Collaborative)

Member: thesah (The Society for the Arts in Healthcare)

Member: Massachusetts Nurses’ Association

Member: AHNA (American Holistic Nurses’ Assn.)

Member: Pelham Council on Aging

Member: MCOA (Massachusetts Councils on Aging)

Member: Amherst Neighbors (Village-to-Village Network)

Member: ACONE (Aero Club of New England)

Member: AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association)

Member: QAA (Quabbin Art Association)

Contact Nancy Rose: blueberryhillwriting@mac.com

Nancy Rose has a joie de vivre that infuses her writing workshops. She’s creative, congenial, and quick to compliment the nuances in a piece of writing. Writers need encouragement, praise, and a place of safety to share. Nancy provides that space.      —Ruth W., Norfolk, MA

Nancy Rose got me started writing when nothing else worked. She uses creative prompts in a supportive environment to bring your best writing forward. I’m so glad I joined her workshop! —Janis M., Amherst, MA

I was stuck. Had already written a long memoir, but it wasn’t working. Nancy asked all the right questions and motivated me to revise the work. Now, my memoir is heading to a publisher. All thanks to Nancy —Marie H., Framingham, MA

I’ve written with Nancy for almost eight years and am always surprised by what I produce in her workshop sessions. I’ve written two novels and am currently working on a non-fiction book about Martin Luther King, Jr. —Nat R., Amherst, MA

If you want to write but feel anxious about writing with others, try Nancy’s workshop…and be amazed. And, she’s funny! Anticipate laughter. —Mary Lou Z., Worcester, MA

I’ve tried three other writing workshops in the Valley, but Nancy’s group is the safest and most encouraging. After several bad critique experiences, I thought I’d never write again. A friend recommended Nancy Rose, so I registered for one of her writing retreats. In Nancy’s group, there is no false praise, only genuine comments that have helped me take my work deeper than ever before. She notices metaphors I didn’t know were there. Each writing prompt unearths something surprising. Words and images flow. And our group camaraderie strengthens and illuminates my potential as a writer. Thank you, Nancy  —Tony S., Springfield, MA