Sharon White
About Me
An award-winning author and former longtime teacher, Sharon White has written extensively across nonfiction, poetry, and fiction. Her books include If the Owl Calls (forthcoming, Betty, an imprint of WTAW Press, 2025), Minato Sketches (Minerva Rising Press, 2025), The Body Is Burden and Delight (Cornerstone Press, 2023), Boiling Lake: On Voyage (Jaded Ibis Press, 2015), Vanished Gardens: Finding Nature in Philadelphia (University of Georgia Press, 2008; paper edition, 2011), Eve and Her Apple (Harbor Mountain Press, 2011), Field Notes: A Geography of Mourning (Hazelden Press, 2002), and Bone House (Brickhouse Books, New Poets Series, 1998).
Her acclaimed Vanished Gardens: Finding Nature in Philadelphia won the AWP Award in Creative Nonfiction, while her collection of very short fiction, Boiling Lake, received the Italo Calvino Prize in Fabulist Fiction. Her debut novel, Minato Sketches won the Rosemary Daniell Prize. Her forthcoming book If the Owl Calls, is set to be released by Betty, November 2025.
An Associate Professor Emerita at Temple University, Sharon has dedicated her career to teaching and writing, with her work appearing in numerous literary journals and anthologies. An avid traveler, she draws inspiration from the landscapes and cultures she explores, weaving themes of place, nature, and memory into her writing.
Events
Walking America: Writers in conversation with Ann de Forest, Sharon White and Janice Deal
April 16, 2025, Noon Pacific Time
Sharon White joins Walking America for its fifth installment, alongside Ann de Forest and Janice Deal. This edition, the first to focus entirely on walking in fiction, will feature a lively conversation on writing and walking.
Honors and Awards
Artist Residency, Warepuke, Kerikeri, New Zealand, 2024.
Visiting Writer, Michael King Writers Centre, Devonport, New Zealand, 2024.
Minerva Rising Press, Rosemary Daniell Prize, 2023.
“Sightings” (Finalist in the Fall Travel Writing Contest, Nowhere Magazine) nominated for a Pushcart Prize and for The Best American Travel Writing, 2020.
Artist Residency, Caselberg Trust, Broad Bay, New Zealand, 2019.
Residency, Creator in Residence, The Weaving Shed, Hillswick, Northmavine, Shetland, 2018.
“Minato Sketches” nominated for a Pushcart Prize, 2018.
Marguerite McGlinn Prize for Fiction from Philadelphia Stories, Karen Joy Fowler, judge, 2017.
Temple University First Year Writing Program Outstanding Instructor Award, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2006, 2003.
Neil Shepard Prize for Fiction, Green Mountains Review, Molly Antopol, judge, 2015.
Residency, Bertolt Brecht’s House, Svendborg, Demark, 2015.
Fellowship, Summer Literary Seminars, Vilnius, Lithuania, 2014.
“Boiling Lake” and selected poetry nominated for a Pushcart Prize, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012.
Residency, Council of Danish Artists, Hirsholmene, Denmark, 2013.
Residency, Bertolt Brecht’s House, Svendborg, Demark, 2013.
Residency, Ricklundgarden, Saxnas, Sweden, May 2012.
Sabbatical Award, Temple University, 2012.
The Iowa Short Fiction Prize runner-up, Boiling Lake, 2012.
“On Voyage” nominated for a Pushcart Prize, 2012.
The Italo Calvino Award in Fabulist Fiction, The University of Louisville, 2010.
The Association of Writers and Writing Programs Award Series Prize in Creative Nonfiction, 2007.
Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Fellowship for Creative Nonfiction, 2005-2006.
The Leeway Award for Achievement, 2003.
Julia Ward Howe Prize, Honorable Mention for Field Notes, Boston Authors Club, 2003.
Artist in Residence, Rocky Mountain National Park, 2001.
Bakeless Scholar, Middlebury College, Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, 1999.
“Bone House” nominated for a Pushcart Award by Kalliope, 1996.
Writers’ Conferences and Festivals Nonfiction Scholarship.
Fellow and First Place Winner, Nonfiction, Writers at Work Contest, Park City, Utah, 1994.
Special Mention, The Pushcart Prize for Fiction, 1988.
Colorado Council on the Arts Creative Fellowship for Prose, 1984.
National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing Fellowship, 1979-1980.
Travel & Research
Scandinavia & Shetland
Sharon spent several months in Scandinavia and Shetland researching the life of Danish painter Emile Demant Hatt.
New Zealand
Sharon was an artist in residence in Dunedin, New Zealand in 2019.
Japan
During the summer of 2017, Sharon taught creative writing at Temple University Japan. Her new novel is set in Tokyo.
