Sharon Swanson

Sharon Swanson is an award-winning essayist and documentary film producer. Her essay “Keeping Secrets” was included in the anthology Mothers and Strangers, published by the University of North Carolina Press in spring 2019. A former freelance writer, documentary film producer, and marketing director for Sutter Health (Sacramento, California), she holds a graduate degree in nonfiction writing from the Writing Seminars at Bennington College, a masters of public administration from East Carolina University, and an undergraduate degree in social work from Winthrop University. Sharon’s documentary film, Landscapes of the Heart: The Elizabeth Spencer Story, premiered at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was screened at film festivals across the country and on public television. Sharon manages Arts & Health at Duke University and the Volunteer Services Office at Duke University Hospital.

Ten Things I Can’t Do Without

1. Nerd dancing
2. Diet Coke fueled writing retreats
3. The sound of my daughters’ voices
4. Affectionate nudges from Riley, my 11-year-old rescue dog
5. Mystery novels
6. All kinds of books
7. PBS dramas and mysteries
8. Pumpkin everything
9. A home with big windows
10. Trees, grass, and flowers outside my big windows