Cynthia Pelayo

Cynthia "Cina" Pelayo is an accomplished author, poet, and educator known for her work in the horror and dark fiction genres. Here are some key details about her:

Literary Achievements

Pelayo is a Bram Stoker Award-winning and International Latino Book Award-winning author and poet.12 She has been nominated for the Bram Stoker Award multiple times and has won acclaim for her poetry collections and novels.1

Writing Style and Themes

Her writing often blends different genres, including horror, crime, and dark fantasy.1 Pelayo's work frequently explores themes of grief, mourning, and cycles of violence.3 She is known for incorporating elements of fairy tales and true crime into her stories.2

Notable Works

Some of her well-known books include:

• "Loteria"
• "Santa Muerte"
• "The Missing"
• "Poems of My Night"
• "Into the Forest and All the Way Through"
• "Children of Chicago"

Her poetry collection "Into the Forest and All the Way Through" explores true crime, focusing on missing and murdered women in the United States.1

Background and Education

Pelayo was raised in inner-city Chicago, where she still resides.1 She holds multiple degrees:

• Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Columbia College
• Master of Science in Marketing from Roosevelt University
• Master of Fine Arts in Writing from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
• Doctoral Candidate in Business Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology1

Professional Activities

In addition to her writing, Pelayo has been involved in editing and publishing. She has worked with Black Telephone Magazine and has run the publishing company Burial Day Books.1 Her experience as both a writer and editor has given her insights into the publishing industry and its challenges.

Pelayo is also active in the horror writing community and has been involved in various projects to uplift other writers and highlight diverse voices in the genre.1