A former city dweller, I live with my husband, the sculptor, Johnpaul Harris, in the wilds of southwestern Randolph County where I’m fortunate enough to wake to the arpeggio of the pileated woodpecker soaring overhead. When I’m not musing on a metaphor, I’ll either be making jam or poking around an abandoned cemetery imagining the lives of the people sleeping under my feet.
My poetry and prose have appeared more than 100 journals, magazines and anthologies, including Poets & Writers, Wired, and Real Simple. See my portfolio for links to recent pieces. I’m a regular contributor to the Living Well column on Bezzy M.S. and I’m honored to serve as a critique editor and judge for the international community of Women on Writing.
My writing has been twice nominated for a Pushcart Prize, and I’m a two-time recipient of the Doris Betts Fiction Prize sponsored by the N.C. Writers’ Network. My novel, Naked and Hungry, was named a finalist in the 2009 James Jones First Novel Fellowship competition sponsored by Wilkes University and was published in 2011 by Ingalls Publishing Group. My first poetry collection, Waiting for the Wood Thrush, debuted in November 2019 (Finishing Line Press). I adore writing, but I also love helping other writers make their publishing dreams come true.
My favorite authors include William Trevor, Shirley Jackson, Leslie Jamison, Ruth Moose and the poets Billy Collins, Jane Kenyon, Rachel Wetzsteone, and Charles Simic. Disclaimer! This is just a short list, a painful decision made while staring at the current books on my desk.
Ashley Harris 
Hi Ashley,
I’m thrilled and impressed. I happened to see the announcement of your book talk in the N&O at Fearington (mcIntyre) yesterday. Unfortunately it was late afternoon so my attendance was out of the question. Also I have been laid low by sciatica which seems to be chronic and renders me unable to walk very well without pain. I can drive however, so I’m not completely housebound. I retired about 5 years ago and did some traveling (Spain, Morocco, and Portugal). All those cobblestones about did me in.
I’m glad to see you are working in Chapel Hill. I couldn’t wait to leave Duke.
Keep in touch.
Maybe we can get together for lunch sometime.
Love to you,
Judy (Smith)
jksmith7@frontier,com
Ashley,
We were delighted to receive an autographed copy of ‘Naked and Hungry’ from your mother-in-law, and our great friend, Sarah. What a delightful read. I LOVED this book and am anxious to read your next accomplishment, ‘Born Again, Dead Again’.
Geri, thank you for the kind note! I’m so glad that you enjoyed the book; it has been a fun project. I hope you are having a great New Year and I will keep you posted on “Born Again, Dead Again!”
Hey there, Ashley. I’m reading “Naked and Hungry.” I like the story.
Didn’t know if you had heard that Bob Ingalls passed away.
Good man. A writer’s publisher.
Hi Ashley,
Congrats on being a finalist in the Ron Rash Awards! I was a finalist in the same competition. Just wanted to make a shout out. Wishing you well!
Samuel J Fox
Thanks Samuel! Sorry I’m just now responding. Looking forward to reading your work!
Hi Ashley,
As a devoted reader of your work and a happy subscriber to “Carve”, I was doubly delighted to find your essay “One in Ten Thousand Bees” in the current issue of “Carve”. Your mother emerges as a queen bee in your honest, loving words. Plus I sure learned about the complexities of beekeeping! I could taste that honey at the end. Thank you for writing this. Reading it is a gift. Mary Alice Dixon
Mary Alice, I just saw your sweet comment for the first time! I’m sorry I missed this! Thank you so much — your words mean more than I can say! I hope you are doing well!
Hi, Ashley,
Just read your glorious essay “Lost I the Weeds” and felt as if l had opened a gift! Thank you for writing it. Look forward to many more!
Jane, thank you so much for such a kind note! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! All the best, Ashley
Can you correct the typos in my comment before you post it? I promise my typing was correct and I don’t know what happened! Thx
Hi Jane, I didn’t see a comment so I couldn’t post it. Try again, and if I spot any typos I will happily try to fix before posting!
This is a big thanks for the lovely critique you did for my piece, Roller Skates, in the WOW! contest.
I am thrilled someone of your caliber was able to offer advice!
Also—I see you’re from N.C. We just moved to Asheville!
Anyhow, I appreciate your time and expertise.
I left a note on your Instagram but figured it might not get to you.
Warmly, Lizzie Brooks
Lizzie, thank you so much for such a kind note, and I am a fan of yours! I loved “Roller Skates” and wish you all the best with your writing. And now that we are virtually “neighbors,” maybe one day we will meet each other!
Ashley,
Last September you spoke at the September Burlington Writers Club and recommended several magazines for new authors to get their work published. Green Prints was one of them. I took home one of your back copies, checked out their website and decided they were a good fit for my creative nonfiction.
October 2023, I submitted a piece. And there were only crickets to be heard. Fast forward to the end of June 2024; I receive an email from Green Prints, they accepted my piece, “Thoughts in a Fall Garden” for publication October 2024. Although I am an indie publisher for my novels and memoir, this is my first piece published with a monetary renumeration. Since much of my creative nonfiction evolves from ruminations while I garden, I’ll submit to them again.
I just wanted to say thank you for your encouragement of new authors. For someone of your literary stature to continue to share their expertise is commendable.
Best wishes,
Sherry
Sherry, that is AWESOME! I am so happy for you, and I will look for your poem. What I like about writing for commercial magazines occasionally (while writing for literary and smaller) mags at the same time is that they actually pay, and it is so rewarding! You are so welcome and do keep submitting. A lot of people make the mistake of only submitting once to a mag and never again – but there is real value in becoming a “regular contributor.” It builds a platform and an audience. 🙂 Best of luck, and thanks for reaching out!
I meant nonfiction, not poem, sorry! 🙂
Hi Ashley,
This is a giant candy-coated “Thank You” for your lovely and generous critique of my story “The Wanderer” in the Wow! Women On Writing contest for Summer 2024. My story was selected as a finalist (in a huge field of finalists). Ultimately, it did not win a prize. I must say, though, your kind words and comments were a true prize to me!
I also appreciate your personal note about your grandfather and his unfulfilled dream of becoming a commercial aviation pilot. I loved how this note from your life paralleled a plot point in my story. Haunting.
Again, thank you for giving me a real boost and inspiration to keep on scribbling. 🙂
Best wishes,
Anna “A.K.” McCutcheon
Hi A.K.! And a giant candy cane of “You’re Welcome!” from me. I loved that story and am so glad to hear that you placed as a finalist! WOW is getting more and more competitive, and the fact that you broke through the ranks is indeed proof of your incredible writing skills. So, yes, please, please keep writing and sending us even more of your beautiful words. All the best! Ashley