About Dawn
Dawn Reno Langley
(Long Bio)
Dawn Reno Langley is a writer, theater critic, mosaic artist, and educator, who has devoted her life to giving a voice to social justice issues. Her first article, published at the tender age of nine, questioned the likelihood of an attack on U.S. soil during the Cuban missile crisis, and she believes that’s when her predilection toward writing about sensitive topics began.
Her books range from nonfiction works on art and antiques to children’s books. She has been published by several of the Big 5 New York publishers, has published with independent traditional publishers, and has re-released some of those books on a nontraditional platform. This has enabled her to understand publishing in a way few others can.
In January, 2024, she launched her new novel, Analyzing the Prescotts, the story of a therapist who becomes obsessed with the Prescotts, a family torn apart by the father’s announcement that he’s leaving to pursue life as a woman. Set in Raleigh, North Carolina, the story’s themes of gender identity, LGBTQ++ issues, bullying, and violence arouse meaningful conversations. The story is a sobering look at family structure and the roles family members assume, especially when the nuclear structure changes. Events to celebrate the book are booking quickly, and Langley hopes to reach as many readers as she can with this important story. Book events with Langley here.
Langley’s novels, such as The Silver Dolphin and The Mourning Parade, examine socially relevant topics like environmental issues. Whether it’s fighting for Asian elephants or spreading the word about civil rights issues or educating collectors about the value of Native American art, she writes about the topics that are close to her heart.
As a Fulbright scholar, Langley spent time at various universities in Pakistan and still works closely with several through their PhD mentoring programs and is on the board of trustees for several academic journals based there. She’s also received Fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, Vermont Study Colony, and Weymouth Center for Arts and Humanities. In addition, she offered a TedX talk about “How Creatives Can Save the World.”
In both her PhD and MFA studies, she researched journals and how writers use them, leading her to develop The Writer’s Hand Journals—a series of journals designed for writers and readers.
Her book, You Are Divine: A Search for the Goddess in All of Us (Llewellyn, 2022), discusses the role of female religious icons in contemporary life. With a wide and brightly positive brush, she discusses goddesses, saints and philosophical leaders, offering personal commentary as well as scholarly research.
She is traveling to promote her new novel, Analyzing the Prescotts, throughout 2024 and hopes to enter into some important conversations with readers, educators, and other writers about what it takes to write about social justice issues, as well as the themes raised in the novel–of identity, family roles, and our ability to witness tragedy yet continue to carry on. “Let’s talk about life and the role of being a witness.”
But it is her role as grandmother that is the most important to her. When she spends time with her grandson or with her many step-grandchildren, she feels more fulfilled than at any other time, and it is for those children that she continues spreading the word about community and global issues that will affect families for many years to come.
Dawn Reno Langley
(Short Bio)
Dawn Reno Langley is a writer, theater critic, editor, writing coach, and educator, who has devoted her life to social justice issues.
After her first article, published at the tender age of nine, questioned the likelihood of an attack on U.S. soil during the Cuban missile crisis, she found her voice.
Langley’s novels, such as her current release, Analyzing the Prescotts, as well as others like The Silver Dolphin and The Mourning Parade, examine socially relevant topics like environmental issues. Her last work of nonfiction You Are Divine: A Search for the Goddess in All of Us (Llewellyn, 2022), discusses the role of female religious icons in contemporary life and how each woman embodies divine traits.
Her new novel, Analyzing the Prescotts, the story of a family fractured by gender identity, launched in January, 2024.
Langley has been published by two of the Big 5 New York publishers, has had several books published by independent traditional publishers, and has re-released some of those books on a nontraditional platform.
She holds an MFA from Vermont College, a PhD from the Union Institute and University, and is president of Rewired Creatives, Inc. In addition, she is a certified Yoga Instructor and teaches yoga on beaches and in forests everywhere. She and her husband Ian love to travel and are exploring the world whenever they can.
Header image by Moments Captured by Lisa