Cindy Faughnan: Middle Grade Author and Poet, Vermont

Welcome!

I write upper middle grade novels about characters facing big choices. I’m fascinated by people in the background of stories and photographs in the news. Sometimes they’re the ones who witness events and react. Other times they become the ones who try to change the world and make things better.

I also write poetry for children and adults and lots of poetry prompts (scroll down to see them).

I completed an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts. I won the PEN New England Children’s Book Caucus Discovery Award and am a member of SCBWI.

When I’m not reading or writing, I work in my garden, find new birds, try a new recipe, knit, or solve puzzles.

Find My Poems

“Window Art”High Five, February 2026
“Don't Worry”The Country in the Mirror: Poems of Protest & Witness, ed. Sharon Darrow
“Saturday Tradition”Little Thoughts Press: Traditions & Rituals, July 2026
“Fog Magic”Tyger, Tyger, Issue 10: Surprise, December 2025
“A Soft Snow Falls”Dirigible Balloon, December 2025

Poetry Prompts

Kelly Bennett and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge more than ten years ago. We have written a poem a day for more than 3700 days! Sometimes we use prompts from books or other websites, and sometimes we create our own. The prompts below are ones that we have taken turns making over the years. Set your timer for seven minutes, and start writing!