Savannah Cottingham
A Bit About Me
Hi, I’m Savannah Cottingham. I live in the wide-open quiet of Montana, where the mountains, rivers, and endless sky do a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to inspiration, with my husband and 6 children. I’ve always felt most at home in nature, whether I’m wandering a trail, sitting beside moving water, or just watching the seasons shift outside my window. That sense of place shows up in my writing, sometimes subtly, sometimes boldly, but always as a grounding presence.
I’m a lifelong reader and a dedicated thrifter. I love the feeling of finding a story tucked inside a used book or uncovering some forgotten treasure on a dusty shelf. Those small discoveries remind me why I write: there’s beauty in the overlooked, meaning in the ordinary, and so much humanity in the pieces we leave behind.
My writing tends to explore themes of memory, trauma, healing, and the complicated ways we step into and out of our own lives. I’m drawn to emotional honesty, the kind of writing that isn’t afraid to be messy, tender, or vulnerable. Whether I’m working on an essay, memoir-style reflection, or a more lyrical piece, I aim to capture experiences that make people feel seen.
At my core, I write because stories have carried me through every stage of my life, and I hope to offer that same sense of connection and comfort to others. When I’m not writing, you’ll usually find me reading, daydreaming new projects, hiking under the Montana sky, or hunting through thrift stores for something with a history of its own.
Thanks for being here and taking the time to get to know me. I’m glad you’ve found your way into my little corner of the world.
My Journey
July 2018 - August 2020
August 2020 - May 2024
September 2024 - March 2026
March 2026 - Current
For a few years, my family and I lived in a tiny home on wheels, our Wander Wagon, a 1975 Chevy Bluebird School Bus, traveling across the country with our kids and chasing the kind of experiences you can’t always find in one place. We explored coastlines, forests, small towns, and wide-open stretches of road, letting curiosity be our map. Those years taught us how little we truly need, how much beauty there is in the world, and how grounding it is to grow together through adventure.
I earned my AA from Flathead Valley Community College before going on to complete my BA in English Literature and Creative Writing at Montana State University Billings. Along the way, I wrote my first novel, became a published author, and later released a second book after founding my own small press, Ink and Paper Press Publications.
I completed my MA in Professional and Creative Writing at Central Washington University, where I built my portfolio by submitting new work for publication and engaging in rigorous workshop courses. I attended the AWP Conference, participating in intensive lectures and professional networking opportunities. During my time at CWU, I served as lead editor for Manastash, the university’s student-led academic journal.
I have been accepted into the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College, where I am pursuing a degree in creative nonfiction through its nationally recognized low-residency program. Shortly after my acceptance, I was named the program’s 2027 Rona Jaffe Foundation Graduate Fellow—an honor awarded annually to a single woman writer whose work demonstrates exceptional promise. As part of the program, I attend intensive residencies while continuing to live and write in my home community.
