Eleanor C. Winslow
Author | Essayist | Literary Journalist
Where the Story Began
With over two decades of experience, I’ve dedicated my life to weaving narratives that breathe life into forgotten histories, celebrate the richness of regional cultures, and explore the complex depths of personal experience.
As a nonfiction author and literary journalist, storytelling is both my vocation and my passion. I’ve written three books that examine different facets of the human condition, and my essays and features have been published in The New Yorker, Orion Magazine, The American Scholar, and other outlets that value thoughtful, voice-driven writing.
What drives me is the chance to capture the intricacies of life through language — whether I’m uncovering the stories of people long overlooked by history, or rendering the quiet, layered beauty of the natural world. I aim to combine rigorous research with emotional honesty, crafting work that not only informs but resonates and lingers.
I make my home in Asheville, North Carolina, where the mountains, seasons, and community provide constant inspiration. Every project I take on is a chance to go deeper, to listen more closely, and to create something that might offer readers a moment of reflection, connection, or discovery.
The Early Chapters
➤ MFA in Creative Writing, University of Iowa Writers' Workshop (2006)
Thesis: “Faultlines: Place, Memory, and the Female Voice”
➤ BA in English and History, University of Virginia (2001)
Summa Cum Laude, Echols Scholar
The Path Through Pages and Places
Author & Independent Journalist (2006–Present)
⬩ Wrote three critically acclaimed books and over 100 essays.
⬩ Work featured in Best American Essays and Pushcart Prize anthologies.
⬩ Frequent contributor to major publications and academic journals.
Senior Editor, The Southern Review (2011–2020)
⬩ Guided nonfiction submissions, published award-winning essays.
⬩ Curated special issues on environmental storytelling and Southern voices.
Writer-in-Residence, Blue Ridge Center for the Arts (2018–Present)
⬩ Leads seasonal writing residencies and regional oral history projects.
Publications
I’ve had the privilege of contributing to a variety of prestigious publications, where I’ve been able to explore my love for storytelling and literary journalism. My work has appeared in The New Yorker, where I delve into the intricate narratives that shape both our personal identities and our collective histories.
In Orion Magazine, I’ve written about environmental themes — combining careful observation with a deep reverence for the natural world. These essays allow me to weave together ecology and memory, inviting readers into spaces of reflection and connection.
My contributions to The American Scholar include personal essays and commentary that reflect on the human experience and the transformative power of narrative. Whether exploring loss, memory, or resilience, I aim to bring depth and clarity to the stories that surround us.
With three published books and more in the works, I remain committed to nonfiction writing that brings overlooked voices to the forefront. Through each piece, I strive to illuminate the quiet truths that bind us — and to offer readers something enduring, something that lingers.
Selected Essays and Articles
Narratives in Print
I had the privilege of sharing my voice through various mediums. My books are a testament to my dedication to storytelling and ability to breathe life into forgotten tales. Each work reflects my deep understanding of the human experience and the intricate narratives that shape our world.
➤ “Ashes in the Holler” (Grove River Books, 2014)
A series of lyrical essays exploring family migration and coal-town memory.
Recipient of the Appalachian Book Award
➤ “Cypress and Bone” (Clover & Finch, 2018)
A deeply researched historical novel based on women healers in 19th-century Louisiana.
➤ “Still the Wind Remembers” (Willowmark, 2023)
A personal reflection on midlife, loss, and rediscovery in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
“The stories that matter most aren’t always the loudest — they’re the ones whispered across generations, carried in rivers, and tucked inside the silence of ordinary days.
— Eleanor C. Winslow
In the Words of Readers and Reviewers
“Eleanor has a unique gift for storytelling that brings history to life. Her ability to capture the essence of a person's experience is truly remarkable.”
“Working with Eleanor was a transformative experience for our publication. Her insights and writing skills elevated our content beyond our expectations. She is a true professional and an exceptional writer!”
“Eleanor exceeded every expectation. Her depth of understanding and thoughtful prose made her stories shine.”
“Eleanor Winslow writes with a voice that is both clear-eyed and lyrical. Ashes in the Holler is a masterwork of place-based nonfiction, weaving memory and history into a hauntingly beautiful tapestry of the Appalachian South.”
“Few writers capture the complexity of quiet moments like Winslow. Still the Wind Remembers is tender, meditative, and deeply human — a memoir that lingers long after the final page.”
“In her essays, Winslow blends journalism and poetry with remarkable ease. Whether writing about rivers, ghosts, or forgotten histories, she invites the reader to look closer, think deeper, and feel more.”
Get in Touch
Whether you’re a reader moved by a passage, a fellow writer looking to connect, or someone with a story to share — I’d love to hear from you. I believe in thoughtful correspondence, the kind that lingers like a good sentence.
Feel free to reach out about speaking engagements, writing workshops, editorial inquiries, or simply to say hello.