Sunny Conley: Writer, Researcher, Editor

Sunny is an awarding-winning freelance writer, editor and desktop publisher with more than 14 years of experience working in major media outlets. Her specialties include Southwest cuisine, history and culture and marketing and promotions.

Sunny holds a Masters of Arts in Professional and Technical Communication from New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM. She is the author of the award-winning Cafe Hopping in the Southwest: 100 Charming Places to Eat, Plus Tips for Tourists (May 1996, June 1997, Arroyo Press) and New Mexico Farms and Ranches: Folks and Fixin’s (Barbed Wire Publishing, 2002). The Thomas Branigan Memorial Library (Las Cruces, NM) named Sunny Author of the Year in 2002. She is also the author of A Bite of History: Recipes & Tales from the Mesilla Valley (Yucca Tree Press, 2000) and Mesilla Valley Roasts! Chile Lore, Tales & Recipes Plus Diners (Hot on Chile! LLC, 2004). New Mexico Press Woman honored Sunny with 20 state awards for her books, food columns, travel and business features, and desktop publications.

Sunny has penned over 1500 columns and articles. She’s been a newspaper food columnist since 1993. Her column, “Chile Knights: Chile Lore, Tales & Tidbits” has appeared in New Mexico newspapers for the past 12 years. The accompanying newspaper photographs are often captured by Sunny. She is a former food and restaurant commentator for public radio station KRWG-FM (southern New Mexico, West Texas and northern Mexico). Sunny hosted and co-produced a one hour PBS show “Hot on the Trail!” Produced locally in New Mexico, the show aired nationally for three years.

Sunny currently lives in Scottsdale, AZ with her two beloved 13-year-old cats. She continues to write, tweet and blog about her favorite topic – hot and spicy foods kicked up (more than a notch or two!) with chile pepper.