Suzanne Roberts

Suzanne Roberts serves as Visiting Faculty in the low residency MFA program at University of Nevada, Reno (UNR-Tahoe). A Lake Tahoe-based travel writer, memoirist, and poet, she holds dual American-British citizenship and actively contributes to literary communities through writing, teaching, and public engagement.

Her academic credentials include:

• M.A. in English, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
• Ph.D. in Literature and the Environment, University of Nevada, Reno

Roberts specializes in Travel Writing and Creative Nonfiction, with signature explorations of environmental narratives, ethical tourism, and human-animal relationships. Her work blends personal memoir with ecological consciousness, exemplified by National Geographic Traveler's designation of her as "The Next Great Travel Writer." Publications consistently examine identity formation through physical journeys and emotional landscapes.

Her literary output reveals an evolution from poetry collections to narrative nonfiction, emphasizing experiential travel writing and ethical self-reflection. Recurring themes include wilderness immersion, cultural encounters, and the intersection of desire with environmental stewardship.

Key recognitions include:

• National Outdoor Book Award (2012) for Almost Somewhere
• PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award longlisting (2022) for Animal Bodies
• Eda Kriseova Fellowship in Prague (2011)
• Two McMillan and Randall Reid Creative Writing Awards
• Fourth River International Poetry Contest win

Roberts mentors writers through UNR-Tahoe's MFA program, individual coaching, and workshops. She served as El Dorado County Poet Laureate (2018-2020) and receives ongoing support through literary fellowships. Current projects include a novel, craft book 52 Writing Prompts (2026), and new essay collections.

Based in South Lake Tahoe, California, she maintains active literary citizenship through bi-monthly newsletters, virtual readings, and community workshops.