Terry Ratner is a freelance writer, editor, creative writing instructor, and registered nurse. She divides her time between Evanston, Illinois and Scottsdale, Arizona. In June of 2004, she graduated with a Master of Fine Arts in creative nonfiction from Antioch University, Los Angeles. Writing has always served a purpose in her life, but it wasn’t until her son died in a motorcycle accident in March, 1999, that she began to publish her works. What’s unique about Terry is the way she balances the life of a nurse with the life of a writer. “Nursing allows me to give back to the community and then write about those experiences.”
Ratner has taught creative writing in a variety of settings from community colleges to a school for homeless children (Thomas J. Pappas) to wellness communities, and most recently, the Khalsa Montessori School in Phoenix. In 2004, Terry launched an Arts and Healing program for children undergoing dialysis at Banner University Medical Center.
She has published numerous personal essays, cover stories, interviews, and book reviews for a variety of national and regional publications, including LA Times, Chicago Tribune, Chicago SunTimes, The Arizona Republic, Scottdale Tribune, Phoenix Magazine, Detroit Free Press, Lovin’ Life, Today in PT, American Nurse today, eHealthcare Strategy & Trends, Johns Hopkins Nursing Magazine, Nursing Spectrum, San Diego Reader, Beacon, La Jolla Light, JAMA. Her upcoming memoir, Paper Coffins, features a series of essays, many of which are introduced with black and white photos, dealing with issues of family and identity.