Welcome. I’m drawn to both science communication and to creative writing. For me, there is no tension between the two–rather, I prefer to blend them whenever possible. As a freelance writer, I:

  • Draft and edit health, science, and medical content
  • Contribute to policy documents for NGOs and government agencies
  • Write novels, short stories, essays, and poems

I’m available as a writer and editor for the right projects; I also run blogs on the craft of writing, on the psychology of music, and on bibliotherapy.

Writing & Editing | Health, Science, & Medical Content

Without good health, it’s much more difficult to fully enjoy our lives or flourish. While I’ve long found science fascinating, I’m particularly invested in health writing that helps people connect, prevent future problems, and discover what imbues their lives with meaning.

  • I specialize in topics including: public health, bioethics, genomics, health care systems, qualitative research, chronic pain, mental health, and gastrointestinal issues
  • I write and edit blogs, white papers, research papers, conference reports, and more
  • I blog on creating better health content at www.thehealthcontentclinic.com and about health promotion at www.vitaminbsage.com

I had the great pleasure of working with Dr. Cyan James for over a year. From day one, Cyan demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence in all aspects of her work and it was evident in the high-quality work she produced. Cyan is an exceptional medical writer and researcher who has the unique ability to communicate complex medical concepts in a clear and concise manner.

a former supervisor

Project examples

  • Wrote 100+ high-ranking blogs on chronic health and related conditions for various start-ups; contributed to social media campaigns and internal research
  • Helped oversee science and technology research activities for a Federal portfolio in human health, wellness, and biotechnology; organized workshops convening 80-200 participants from Federal and academic agencies; wrote high-level briefings, memos, white papers, reports, and communication strategies for senior leadership.
  • Wrote my Ph.D. dissertation, “Thesis: Trust and Consequences: Biorepositories, Health Learning Systems, and Beyond,” on building trust in patient-provider relationships, particularly when biobanks and research are part of the care system. Designed a public communications strategy for a biobank’s specimen donation system and conducted research to develop an associated patient consent process.
  • Helped conduct qualitative and mixed methods research on patient preferences and medical ethics that contributed to policy development; contributed to archival research on the 1918-19 influenza epidemic; produced weekly news briefing for a global professional and academic audience on H1N1 pandemic influenza, H1N5 avian influenza, and emerging global infections throughout ASEAN and APEC countries.

“Your document captured the event so precisely, it was like you were actually there in the room with us, even though I know you weren’t.”

a former client

A few highlights

  • I was a former American Association for the Advancement of Science Science & Technology Policy Fellow
  • I was also a Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Fellow at the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine
  • My Ph.D. is in public health genetics with additional coursework in global health

Got a project for me? Tell me about it:

Creative Writing

I love to read. Usually multiple books at once, usually a whole stack. Books have been among my best teachers, a steady spring of enrichment and joy.

Novels

I am currently editing and seeking representation for three novels:

  • “Swim the River, Girls” about the young women who survived Washington’s Green River Killer by banding together to demand better than Seattle was prepared to give them
  • “The Belgrade Docent” about a volunteer docent steering through a recent move and disorienting relationship with her girlfriend by responding to the art and artifacts of Belgrade’s National Museum
  • “The Clut,” about a woman who bucks start-up culture to found her own cult an in effort to explore companionship and a sense of power

Short Stories

Essays

Poetry

  • ‘Yesterday’ is the most covered song in the world | Sheepshead Review, 2021
  • Traveling in slow pieces from the North | Red Rock Review, 2021
  • A curved blue-veined space full of water and silence | Rappahannock Review, 2021
  • Nostalgia is more of a problem than mourning | Little Patuxent Review, 2021
  • A pinata of reproductive organs | Connecticut River Review, 2021
  • You pile sweet jam; I’ll admit it even if doesn’t fix anything | After the Pause, 2021
  • At least I have a brown arm | Inflectionist, 2021
  • Agnostic Wandering, and Old Spice & Cordite | Blackbird, 2019
  • We Both Like to Stick Our Heads In; Everything Pointed South; Put Your Will In Your Boots | Mojave River Review, 2018
  • Reach Out <hard stop> | West Trade Review, 2018
  • Something Like This Every Night, Sediments Literary-Arts Journal, 2016
  • Watchtower | DIAGRAM, 2007
  • The Honky-Tonk Blues Bar | Blackbird, 2007
  • Bandita, Stirring | 2006
  • Seedpods ‘Longside Flowers | Beloit Journal of Poetry, 2006