About
My name is Anna Dunworth
Anna Dunworth is a history teacher turned author who writes mysteries, short fiction, and young adult fantasy.
Her work explores themes of transition and the complex emotions accompanying periods of change. You'll find echoes of her experiences throughout her writing, rooted in a childhood spent in a small coastal village, a career teaching high school, and life as a mother of three.
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The Professional
I am currently revising two novels and drafting a short story collection. I also write the Cove Harbor Mysteries series, available on Kindle Vella.
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Before becoming a writer, I taught high school history in Harlem and Hell's Kitchen. I primarily focused on AP World and Global History & Geography for 10th graders, but taught everything social studies from 7th-12th grade (and even did a short stint in middle school ELA).
I loved teaching and look back on those years fondly. My husband and I left the city for the suburbs (thanks, covid), where I continued teaching remotely before calling it quits to stay home full-time with my own kids. I miss the classroom sometimes, but I wouldn't change it if I could.
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I wasn't always a teacher. I managed small retail and financial services businesses before returning to school for my teaching certifications in my mid-twenties.
Writing was a big part of management for me - email campaigns, social media posts, website copy, training materials... You name it; I probably wrote it. I even once drafted a 150-page employee manual to standardize operations across five stores. That was a big project for 19-year-old me.
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My first passion in the writing world was research writing. I won a conference-wide Top Paper Award during my undergraduate years and presented research in my field (communication) in cities throughout the Northeast. I continued following my research passions throughout grad school, eventually earning my Master's in teaching Social Studies.
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Even now, I can't resist the research bug. You'll find plenty of research-supported articles on my blog and in the feature piece of my weekly newsletter. I also blog about motherhood and transitions throughout life.
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For the most part, I've now returned to fiction writing, which I abandoned as a teen for more "sensible" pursuits. But, I mean... who needs "sensible," anyway?
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Check out my current projects:
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The Peculiar Fate of Ringling High (available on Kindle Vella)
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Cove Harbor Mysteries (available on Kindle Vella)
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Waves of Change (short story collection, drafting)
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Mako & the 7 Isles (young adult fantasy, revising)
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Beyond the Sea (mystery novel, querying)
Stay tuned (and subscribe) to see what comes next!
The Personal
Personal experiences are the cornerstones of my writing.
I am a stay at home mom
to three wonderful kids:
James, Ellie Jo, and Sophie.
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When I'm not chasing them around or asking them kindly to please go the eff to sleep, you can find me typing away on my computer, working on one of my many writing projects.
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My husband and I love to drag the little ones around, whether its a visit to my small seaside hometown or just a long drive to see some part of our region we've never been before.
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Like many writers, I find few things in life as satisfying as a good book, especially when it comes with a quiet place to read.
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In the free moments, I try sneak in dinners with old friends and plenty of walks with our
Bernese Mountain Dog Yogi.
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I also love to race against myself on the treadmill and explore new activities that keep me moving.