Julie Cantrell Weaves Stories That Heal and Inspire
USA Today’s bestselling author Julie Cantrell brings her uplifting stories and inspiring creativity to readers worldwide.
A Literary Voice of Hope
Julie Cantrell, bestselling author and advocate, shares her inspirations, literary influences, love for nature, and passion for storytelling, revealing the heart behind her award-winning books and uplifting creative journey
Julie Cantrell, a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author, is no stranger to accolades. A multiple award-winning novelist, editor, creative writing instructor, TEDx speaker, and ghostwriter, Cantrell has made an indelible mark in the literary world. Her rich storytelling has garnered numerous honors, including two Christy Awards, two Carol Awards, and the Mississippi Library Association Fiction Award. She has also been shortlisted twice for the Mississippi Arts & Letters Fiction Award and the Pat Conroy Southern Book Prize. Most recently, she was recognized as a 2023 finalist for the de Groot Foundation Courage to Write Award. Beyond her writing, Cantrell served as editor-in-chief of the Southern Literary Review and has been the recipient of prestigious fellowships such as the Mississippi Arts Commission Literary Arts Fellowship and the Rivendell Writer’s Colony Mary Elizabeth Nelson Fellowship.
When it comes to reading, Cantrell’s passion shines through. She was recently captivated by The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry and The Long March Home by Tosca Lee and Marcus Brotherton, both of which she describes as deeply memorable. She also has special appreciation for Gail Tsukiyama’s The Samurai’s Garden, a lesser-known gem that she holds dear. Cantrell admires an impressive list of writers, including Jesmyn Ward, Barbara Kingsolver, Natasha Tretheway, Wally Lamb, and Jamie Ford, all of whom have resonated with her profoundly. When asked about her favorite fictional hero, she revisits her childhood love for Pippi Longstocking, a character who remains iconic and inspiring to her.
“If I weren’t a writer, I’d be a documentary filmmaker, capturing life’s interconnectedness and its awe-inspiring mysteries.” – Julie Cantrell
Looking ahead, Cantrell plans to read Rainn Wilson’s Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution, a choice that reflects her inquisitive and thoughtful nature. She notes that readers who enjoy the works of authors like Kristin Hannah, Karen Kingsbury, Francine Rivers, Lisa Wingate, and Patti Callahan Henry are often drawn to her own books, as they share a commonality in delivering uplifting, emotionally impactful stories enriched with vivid settings and engaging characters.
While her literary accomplishments are enough to fill any resume, there is much about Cantrell that readers may not know. Before embarking on her celebrated writing career, she was deeply involved with her family’s small-scale sustainable farm, caring for animals and working closely with nature. This connection to the earth and its creatures is a recurring theme in her life. But Cantrell’s professional ventures extend beyond farming and literature—she also worked as a certified speech-language pathologist in both public schools and medical settings, and as a reading interventionist and ELL teacher. Today, she remains an active advocate for literacy and survivors of abuse. If given the chance to explore a different career, she dreams of becoming a documentary filmmaker, capturing impactful stories from around the globe and shining a light on humanity’s shared connections.
When she isn’t writing or advocating, Cantrell devotes her rare moments of spare time to the natural world. As a certified naturalist, she relishes opportunities to immerse herself in nature’s beauty and create memories with loved ones. Hiking by day, and enjoying live music by night in outdoor settings surrounded by friends and family, defines her ideal way to unwind.
Currently, Cantrell is celebrating the release of her latest endeavor—a heartwarming children’s book inspired by the unlikely friendship between her family’s golden retriever and a baby duck. With its sweet, uplifting message, Dog Saves Duck has captured hearts, appealing to readers of all ages. Through her work, whether as a novelist, children’s author, or advocate, Julie Cantrell continues to remind us of the beauty of connection and the importance of storytelling in all its forms.
