Kathie Bergquist

Kathie Bergquist is a Lecturer in the Writing Department at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). She holds a BA (2005) and MFA (2009) from Columbia College Chicago. Her teaching focuses on creative writing as an interdisciplinary art form, and she leads advanced workshops on fiction and queer personal essays. Bergquist is an award-winning author with notable works including Windy City Queer and The Field Guide to Gay and Lesbian Chicago.

• Education: BA 2005, MFA 2009 (Columbia College Chicago)

Research & Interests: Bergquist’s work explores LGBTQ narratives through creative nonfiction, fiction, and journalism. She investigates queer identity intersections with geography, performance, and historical context. Her courses emphasize craft techniques in mid-length fiction and the fusion of personal essays with activist frameworks.

Publications: Her fiction appears in Yellow Chair Review, Q Review, and others. Nonfiction contributions include Chicago Reader, The Advocate, and academic journals. She has performed at events like the Prague Fringe Festival.

• Awards: Lambda Emerging Writers Fellowship

Teaching: Courses include Intro to Writing as Art (2025) and advanced workshops on novella writing and queer personal essays. Her pedagogy integrates interdisciplinary practices with ethical workshop dynamics.