Cynthia “Cina” Pelayo
@cynthiapelayo.bsky.social
Bram Stoker Award & Int’l Latino Book Award winning author| VANISHING DAUGHTERS, Thomas & Mercer| GHOSTS OF WHERE WE ARE FROM, Atria/Primero Sueño| LOTERÍA & CHICAGO SAGA, Hachette| School of the Art Institute MFAW, PhD English candidate | Rep-Lane Heymont
Pinned
Cynthia Pelayo blends horror and Chicago history in ‘Vanishing Daughters’ — including legend of Resurrection Mary
Cynthia Pelayo just wrote a novel weaving together a serial killer, the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, a plane crash at O’Hare, Chet’s Melody Lounge in Justice and Resurrection Mary.
www.chicagotribune.com
“Pelayo’s horror novels do not read like a lot of horror novels…They read less like contemporary horror than Gothic thrillers relocated to a 21st-century Midwest, layering in detective fiction, melodrama…”
Reposting as I accidentally deleted my pinned post.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/08/c...
Reposting as I accidentally deleted my pinned post.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/08/c...
Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley — in three volumes
First edition, 1818 🖤
First edition, 1818 🖤
November 13, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley — in three volumes
First edition, 1818 🖤
First edition, 1818 🖤
Enter to win a copy of It Came From Neverland, available June 9, 2026 ✨
www.goodreads.com/book/show/24...
www.goodreads.com/book/show/24...
It Came From Neverland: A Novel
Peter Pan meets Stephen King's It in this twisted horro…
www.goodreads.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Enter to win a copy of It Came From Neverland, available June 9, 2026 ✨
www.goodreads.com/book/show/24...
www.goodreads.com/book/show/24...
I’ll be an attending author at Slay the Lake this Saturday!
Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Book Fest 💗
Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Book Fest 💗
November 13, 2025 at 3:12 PM
I’ll be an attending author at Slay the Lake this Saturday!
Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Book Fest 💗
Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Book Fest 💗
This is tomorrow!
This Friday, I'll be giving a presentation at The Whispering Shelf on Lotería in Indianapolis. I will be discussing some of the folklore adapted to create this story collection.
NOTE: My travel is still limited because *points to the world* but my family said they'd drive me to this 🖤
NOTE: My travel is still limited because *points to the world* but my family said they'd drive me to this 🖤
November 13, 2025 at 3:10 PM
This is tomorrow!
Reposted by Cynthia “Cina” Pelayo
A new entry in our YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR'S FAVORITE AUTHOR series is now live in our online magazine!
This month @patrickbarb.bsky.social chats with @cynthiapelayo.bsky.social about Samuel Beckett!
Read here for free:
shortwavepublishing.com/magazine/you...
This month @patrickbarb.bsky.social chats with @cynthiapelayo.bsky.social about Samuel Beckett!
Read here for free:
shortwavepublishing.com/magazine/you...
November 12, 2025 at 4:23 PM
A new entry in our YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR'S FAVORITE AUTHOR series is now live in our online magazine!
This month @patrickbarb.bsky.social chats with @cynthiapelayo.bsky.social about Samuel Beckett!
Read here for free:
shortwavepublishing.com/magazine/you...
This month @patrickbarb.bsky.social chats with @cynthiapelayo.bsky.social about Samuel Beckett!
Read here for free:
shortwavepublishing.com/magazine/you...
Day 100
There are 50 days until 2026.
If you wrote 600 days everyday for the next 50 days you’d go into the New Year with 30,000 words.
600 words every day started Aug 3 to Dec 31 for a novel draft by end of year.
#600x150
There are 50 days until 2026.
If you wrote 600 days everyday for the next 50 days you’d go into the New Year with 30,000 words.
600 words every day started Aug 3 to Dec 31 for a novel draft by end of year.
#600x150
November 13, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Day 100
There are 50 days until 2026.
If you wrote 600 days everyday for the next 50 days you’d go into the New Year with 30,000 words.
600 words every day started Aug 3 to Dec 31 for a novel draft by end of year.
#600x150
There are 50 days until 2026.
If you wrote 600 days everyday for the next 50 days you’d go into the New Year with 30,000 words.
600 words every day started Aug 3 to Dec 31 for a novel draft by end of year.
#600x150
My horror novella class ended this evening. All of them finished with a draft, which I’m so proud 🥲
I’m so sad it’s ended but I’m really happy I can be a teeny part of someone’s writing journey.
It’s scary to share creative parts of you with others, but I’m glad so many of you do.
🖤🦇
I’m so sad it’s ended but I’m really happy I can be a teeny part of someone’s writing journey.
It’s scary to share creative parts of you with others, but I’m glad so many of you do.
🖤🦇
November 13, 2025 at 4:06 AM
My horror novella class ended this evening. All of them finished with a draft, which I’m so proud 🥲
I’m so sad it’s ended but I’m really happy I can be a teeny part of someone’s writing journey.
It’s scary to share creative parts of you with others, but I’m glad so many of you do.
🖤🦇
I’m so sad it’s ended but I’m really happy I can be a teeny part of someone’s writing journey.
It’s scary to share creative parts of you with others, but I’m glad so many of you do.
🖤🦇
Reposted by Cynthia “Cina” Pelayo
This winter I'm teaching Creative Writing Essentials Tues in-person at StoryStudio Chicago!
We're going to talk about prose, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, essay, all of it!
Let's explore what is creative writing, how do we do it, and maintain a practice.
www.storystudiochicago.org/classes/clas...
We're going to talk about prose, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, essay, all of it!
Let's explore what is creative writing, how do we do it, and maintain a practice.
www.storystudiochicago.org/classes/clas...
Creative Writing Essentials Winter 2026 with Cynthia Pelayo - StoryStudio Chicago
What is creative writing? What is storytelling? How does one even get started writing? How do I build a creative writing practice? And well, what is it that we even want to write? In this eight-week w...
www.storystudiochicago.org
November 12, 2025 at 4:20 PM
This winter I'm teaching Creative Writing Essentials Tues in-person at StoryStudio Chicago!
We're going to talk about prose, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, essay, all of it!
Let's explore what is creative writing, how do we do it, and maintain a practice.
www.storystudiochicago.org/classes/clas...
We're going to talk about prose, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, essay, all of it!
Let's explore what is creative writing, how do we do it, and maintain a practice.
www.storystudiochicago.org/classes/clas...
Reposted by Cynthia “Cina” Pelayo
"There is beauty in our lives. There is hope.
We’re literally, each and every single one of us, living miracles. There will never be another me again in the history of this world. There will never be another you in the history of this world.
Beckett, I truly believe, recognized that..."
We’re literally, each and every single one of us, living miracles. There will never be another me again in the history of this world. There will never be another you in the history of this world.
Beckett, I truly believe, recognized that..."
A new entry in our YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR'S FAVORITE AUTHOR series is now live in our online magazine!
This month @patrickbarb.bsky.social chats with @cynthiapelayo.bsky.social about Samuel Beckett!
Read here for free:
shortwavepublishing.com/magazine/you...
This month @patrickbarb.bsky.social chats with @cynthiapelayo.bsky.social about Samuel Beckett!
Read here for free:
shortwavepublishing.com/magazine/you...
November 12, 2025 at 4:55 PM
"There is beauty in our lives. There is hope.
We’re literally, each and every single one of us, living miracles. There will never be another me again in the history of this world. There will never be another you in the history of this world.
Beckett, I truly believe, recognized that..."
We’re literally, each and every single one of us, living miracles. There will never be another me again in the history of this world. There will never be another you in the history of this world.
Beckett, I truly believe, recognized that..."
Reposted by Cynthia “Cina” Pelayo
It’s that time again. Time for my monthly interview column YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR’S FAVORITE AUTHOR. This time I chat with the fantastic @cynthiapelayo.bsky.social about one of her favorites: Samuel Beckett. It’s a wide-ranging conversation about art, online discourse, & more.
Your Favorite Author’s Favorite Author: Cynthia Pelayo on Samuel Beckett - Shortwave Publishing
Back during the height of the pandemic, when the HWA held a virtual version of their annual StokerCon, Cynthia Pelayo was one of the first authors who really welcomed me to the fold, who made me feel ...
shortwavepublishing.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:21 PM
It’s that time again. Time for my monthly interview column YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR’S FAVORITE AUTHOR. This time I chat with the fantastic @cynthiapelayo.bsky.social about one of her favorites: Samuel Beckett. It’s a wide-ranging conversation about art, online discourse, & more.
"There is beauty in our lives. There is hope.
We’re literally, each and every single one of us, living miracles. There will never be another me again in the history of this world. There will never be another you in the history of this world.
Beckett, I truly believe, recognized that..."
We’re literally, each and every single one of us, living miracles. There will never be another me again in the history of this world. There will never be another you in the history of this world.
Beckett, I truly believe, recognized that..."
A new entry in our YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR'S FAVORITE AUTHOR series is now live in our online magazine!
This month @patrickbarb.bsky.social chats with @cynthiapelayo.bsky.social about Samuel Beckett!
Read here for free:
shortwavepublishing.com/magazine/you...
This month @patrickbarb.bsky.social chats with @cynthiapelayo.bsky.social about Samuel Beckett!
Read here for free:
shortwavepublishing.com/magazine/you...
November 12, 2025 at 4:55 PM
"There is beauty in our lives. There is hope.
We’re literally, each and every single one of us, living miracles. There will never be another me again in the history of this world. There will never be another you in the history of this world.
Beckett, I truly believe, recognized that..."
We’re literally, each and every single one of us, living miracles. There will never be another me again in the history of this world. There will never be another you in the history of this world.
Beckett, I truly believe, recognized that..."
This winter I'm teaching Creative Writing Essentials Tues in-person at StoryStudio Chicago!
We're going to talk about prose, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, essay, all of it!
Let's explore what is creative writing, how do we do it, and maintain a practice.
www.storystudiochicago.org/classes/clas...
We're going to talk about prose, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, essay, all of it!
Let's explore what is creative writing, how do we do it, and maintain a practice.
www.storystudiochicago.org/classes/clas...
Creative Writing Essentials Winter 2026 with Cynthia Pelayo - StoryStudio Chicago
What is creative writing? What is storytelling? How does one even get started writing? How do I build a creative writing practice? And well, what is it that we even want to write? In this eight-week w...
www.storystudiochicago.org
November 12, 2025 at 4:20 PM
This winter I'm teaching Creative Writing Essentials Tues in-person at StoryStudio Chicago!
We're going to talk about prose, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, essay, all of it!
Let's explore what is creative writing, how do we do it, and maintain a practice.
www.storystudiochicago.org/classes/clas...
We're going to talk about prose, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, essay, all of it!
Let's explore what is creative writing, how do we do it, and maintain a practice.
www.storystudiochicago.org/classes/clas...
This is another petition to give Alma Katsu the James Bond franchise.
Attention Amazon producers! I know how to fix this :-) 35 yr career intel officer + NYT bestselling award-winning author. My film agent is Angela Cheng Caplan radaronline.com/p/james-bond...
EXCLUSIVE: James Bond Writers Reveal Twist That Has Left New Creators With 'Huge Headache' When It Comes to Resurrecting the Super-Spy for Amazon
Bond writers are now racking their brain, trying to move forward with the franchise after the last film's wild twist.
radaronline.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:29 AM
This is another petition to give Alma Katsu the James Bond franchise.
Day 99
Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein 207 years ago. What do you have to say? What can you write that can possibly have that sort of impact?
Reach deep.
600 words every day started Aug 3 to Dec 31 for a novel draft by end of year.
#600x150
Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein 207 years ago. What do you have to say? What can you write that can possibly have that sort of impact?
Reach deep.
600 words every day started Aug 3 to Dec 31 for a novel draft by end of year.
#600x150
November 12, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Day 99
Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein 207 years ago. What do you have to say? What can you write that can possibly have that sort of impact?
Reach deep.
600 words every day started Aug 3 to Dec 31 for a novel draft by end of year.
#600x150
Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein 207 years ago. What do you have to say? What can you write that can possibly have that sort of impact?
Reach deep.
600 words every day started Aug 3 to Dec 31 for a novel draft by end of year.
#600x150
My wedding anniversary date is to go see the Popol Vuh at Newberry Library and then GDT's Frankenstein.
The Book of the People, The Sacred Book, is the creation account of the Quiché Mayan people, transcribed between 1700 and 1715.
www.newberry.org/collection/r...
The Book of the People, The Sacred Book, is the creation account of the Quiché Mayan people, transcribed between 1700 and 1715.
www.newberry.org/collection/r...
Popol Vuh
www.newberry.org
November 12, 2025 at 12:23 AM
My wedding anniversary date is to go see the Popol Vuh at Newberry Library and then GDT's Frankenstein.
The Book of the People, The Sacred Book, is the creation account of the Quiché Mayan people, transcribed between 1700 and 1715.
www.newberry.org/collection/r...
The Book of the People, The Sacred Book, is the creation account of the Quiché Mayan people, transcribed between 1700 and 1715.
www.newberry.org/collection/r...
Reposted by Cynthia “Cina” Pelayo
No one has asked for this cut.
Not librarians, not Alderpeople, not the library’s union, and certainly not the residents who rely on Chicago’s 81 branches every day.
action.everylibrary.org/cpl2025 via @everylibrary.bsky.social
Not librarians, not Alderpeople, not the library’s union, and certainly not the residents who rely on Chicago’s 81 branches every day.
action.everylibrary.org/cpl2025 via @everylibrary.bsky.social
SEND AN EMAIL: Restore Chicago Library’s Collections Budget
No one has asked for this cut. Not librarians, not Alderpeople, not the library’s union, and certainly not the residents who rely on Chicago’s 81 branches every day.
action.everylibrary.org
November 11, 2025 at 9:19 PM
No one has asked for this cut.
Not librarians, not Alderpeople, not the library’s union, and certainly not the residents who rely on Chicago’s 81 branches every day.
action.everylibrary.org/cpl2025 via @everylibrary.bsky.social
Not librarians, not Alderpeople, not the library’s union, and certainly not the residents who rely on Chicago’s 81 branches every day.
action.everylibrary.org/cpl2025 via @everylibrary.bsky.social
November 11, 2025 at 9:28 PM
This Friday, I'll be giving a presentation at The Whispering Shelf on Lotería in Indianapolis. I will be discussing some of the folklore adapted to create this story collection.
NOTE: My travel is still limited because *points to the world* but my family said they'd drive me to this 🖤
NOTE: My travel is still limited because *points to the world* but my family said they'd drive me to this 🖤
November 11, 2025 at 8:46 PM
This Friday, I'll be giving a presentation at The Whispering Shelf on Lotería in Indianapolis. I will be discussing some of the folklore adapted to create this story collection.
NOTE: My travel is still limited because *points to the world* but my family said they'd drive me to this 🖤
NOTE: My travel is still limited because *points to the world* but my family said they'd drive me to this 🖤
Reposted by Cynthia “Cina” Pelayo
Rosalía’s awe-inspiring new album harkens back to an older tradition of Christian art, writes @skornhaber.bsky.social: the symphony written for the glory of God.
The Coolest Girl on Earth Seeks God
Rosalía’s new album mirrors the modern quest for salvation, in all its thrilling and frustrating contours.
bit.ly
November 11, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Rosalía’s awe-inspiring new album harkens back to an older tradition of Christian art, writes @skornhaber.bsky.social: the symphony written for the glory of God.
Hey, yo. Joyce Carol Oates is dragging tech boys by their hair over on that weirdo app.
November 11, 2025 at 5:15 AM
Hey, yo. Joyce Carol Oates is dragging tech boys by their hair over on that weirdo app.
Day 98
Write down your writer goals, and put it somewhere you can look at it every day, every writing session.
How can you make something happen if you can't even express it to yourself?
Write down your goal!
600 words every day started Aug 3 to Dec 31 for a novel draft by end of year.
#600x150
Write down your writer goals, and put it somewhere you can look at it every day, every writing session.
How can you make something happen if you can't even express it to yourself?
Write down your goal!
600 words every day started Aug 3 to Dec 31 for a novel draft by end of year.
#600x150
November 11, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Day 98
Write down your writer goals, and put it somewhere you can look at it every day, every writing session.
How can you make something happen if you can't even express it to yourself?
Write down your goal!
600 words every day started Aug 3 to Dec 31 for a novel draft by end of year.
#600x150
Write down your writer goals, and put it somewhere you can look at it every day, every writing session.
How can you make something happen if you can't even express it to yourself?
Write down your goal!
600 words every day started Aug 3 to Dec 31 for a novel draft by end of year.
#600x150
This winter I’m teaching Creative Writing Essentials. This class is an in-person in #Chicago ☃️
We will look at shapes that define a body of creative writing —including beginnings, middles, ends, short story forms, novellas, novels, memoirs, and essays.
www.storystudiochicago.org/classes/clas...
We will look at shapes that define a body of creative writing —including beginnings, middles, ends, short story forms, novellas, novels, memoirs, and essays.
www.storystudiochicago.org/classes/clas...
Creative Writing Essentials Winter 2026 with Cynthia Pelayo - StoryStudio Chicago
What is creative writing? What is storytelling? How does one even get started writing? How do I build a creative writing practice? And well, what is it that we even want to write? In this eight-week w...
www.storystudiochicago.org
November 10, 2025 at 5:22 PM
This winter I’m teaching Creative Writing Essentials. This class is an in-person in #Chicago ☃️
We will look at shapes that define a body of creative writing —including beginnings, middles, ends, short story forms, novellas, novels, memoirs, and essays.
www.storystudiochicago.org/classes/clas...
We will look at shapes that define a body of creative writing —including beginnings, middles, ends, short story forms, novellas, novels, memoirs, and essays.
www.storystudiochicago.org/classes/clas...
Four things you’ll find in The Shoemaker’s Magician ✨
1. Charlie Chaplin
2. The Uptown Theater
3. Vampira
4. French filmmaker Georges Méliès
Order: www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/cynth...
1. Charlie Chaplin
2. The Uptown Theater
3. Vampira
4. French filmmaker Georges Méliès
Order: www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/cynth...
November 10, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Four things you’ll find in The Shoemaker’s Magician ✨
1. Charlie Chaplin
2. The Uptown Theater
3. Vampira
4. French filmmaker Georges Méliès
Order: www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/cynth...
1. Charlie Chaplin
2. The Uptown Theater
3. Vampira
4. French filmmaker Georges Méliès
Order: www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/cynth...
Day 97
Your rough draft is supposed to be a wild garden! Prune it later. Magic blooms now 💐
600 words every day started Aug 3 to Dec 31 for a novel draft by end of year.
#600x150
Your rough draft is supposed to be a wild garden! Prune it later. Magic blooms now 💐
600 words every day started Aug 3 to Dec 31 for a novel draft by end of year.
#600x150
November 10, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Day 97
Your rough draft is supposed to be a wild garden! Prune it later. Magic blooms now 💐
600 words every day started Aug 3 to Dec 31 for a novel draft by end of year.
#600x150
Your rough draft is supposed to be a wild garden! Prune it later. Magic blooms now 💐
600 words every day started Aug 3 to Dec 31 for a novel draft by end of year.
#600x150
I’m getting close to 40K followers across all of my social media.
Thanks for listening and buying my books.
There are really fantastic people in the world. I’m choosing to put my focus on the good, and the good we can do together, and the art we can make in defiance of the darkness.
Thanks for listening and buying my books.
There are really fantastic people in the world. I’m choosing to put my focus on the good, and the good we can do together, and the art we can make in defiance of the darkness.
November 10, 2025 at 2:29 AM
I’m getting close to 40K followers across all of my social media.
Thanks for listening and buying my books.
There are really fantastic people in the world. I’m choosing to put my focus on the good, and the good we can do together, and the art we can make in defiance of the darkness.
Thanks for listening and buying my books.
There are really fantastic people in the world. I’m choosing to put my focus on the good, and the good we can do together, and the art we can make in defiance of the darkness.