Vicki Riley

Vicki is a lifelong reader and writer, inspired by the island she grew up in – Key West. Love of theatre, film, literature and storytelling culminated in a University of Miami degree in English Literature and Communications (Screenwriting focus). Offered a job as set script typist for Miami Vice’s first season, she worked with Pittsburgh Filmmakers instead, and trained as an editor and camera operator. Weather sent her back to Florida where she interviewed bargaining to teach high school Cinematography. Only one principal agreed if she first built a TV Production class. She did and taught two Cinematography classes along with Creative Writing, British and American Literature. Her Cinematography students competed across Florida schools and won 2^nd place for their short film. Vicki also sponsored and created the high school’s first Literary Magazine.

Teaching carried over to Co-leading, then leading the Florida Writers Association (FWA) Writing and Critique group for over a decade.

In 2011, Vicki was the only poet in the history of (FWA) sponsored Royal Palm Literary Awards to win both 1st and 2^nd place for two poems. In that same year, she received one of 13 Honorable Mentions in the Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition. The most excitement came during a personal phone call from Lorian Hemingway asking permission to publish the story on her blog. Her words of encouragement that day remind Vicki that “butt in the chair” writing can make a difference.

Check vickiriley.com for more information about her and her book, Cayo Hueso Literary Writings and Artwork From Key West.