I was raised by a group of traveling creative mice.

Among them was a graphic designer, musician/composer, and sculptor/shaman, as well as an ensemble of other animals, including lizards, turtles, parrots, countless dogs and cats, and at times, pigs, goats, and turkeys.

Mostly together, and sometimes on our own, we moved from the country to the city and back again, all up and down the East coast for all of my childhood until I finally settled in Western MA. I had my first baby on my own at the age of 19, and chose to settle in Northampton because it was just enough city, and just enough country.  

From my unusual upbringing, I learned to find the humor in most situations, or at least to laugh about painful things well after the fact. I had been very shy when I was a small mouse, but moving around, meeting so many new creatures, and of course becoming a mom at a young age forced me to be a bit bolder.

Now, I curate a very full pantry of nuts and seeds, and mother 3 kids, who all provide endless story ideas while also allowing me practically zero time to actually write anything down, let along think a thought. The conundrum is unbearable, but mostly I find it funny.

Given that I have been a mom for over half my life, I absolutely must write essays on motherhood, and all the weirdness and hilarity that goes along with it. Beyond that, motherhood has opened up immense compassion and rage for me as I strive to stay aware of the grotesque injustices that are inflicted on women and children, particularly women and children who are black, indigenous, or of color, which fuels my political action and solidarity.

I contribute a column for the Daily Hampshire Gazette, and I am at work on a few major projects, all of which make my little heart flutter with joy:

my first novel (Grief Migration),

an anthology (The Arrivals Gate),

a new series for the screen (Tofu Slingers),

and a collection of short stories (Women’s Work)

For business or media related inquiries, email is best

chelseasundaykline@gmail.com