Connie May Fowler's Biography

Connie May Fowler is a novelist, essayist, memoirist, and screenwriter. Her most recent novel, How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly, was published by Grand Central in 2010. Previous to that, 2005's The Problem With Murmur Lee, was chosen as Redbook’s premier book club selection. In 2002 she published When Katie Wakes, a memoir that explores her descent and escape from an abusive relationship. She is the author of six critically acclaimed novels including River of Hidden Dreams, Remembering Blue which was awarded the Chautauqua South Literary Award and Before Women had Wings, recipient of the 1996 Southern Book Critics Circle Award and the Francis Buck Award from the League of American Pen Women. Three of her novels have been Dublin International Literary Award nominees. Connie May adapted Before Women had Wings for Oprah Winfrey. The result was an Emmy-winning film starring Winfrey and Ellen Barkin. Her work has been translated into 15 languages and is published worldwide. Her essays have been published in The New York Times, London Times, International Herald Tribune, Japan Times, Oxford American, Best Life, and elsewhere. In 2007, Connie May performed in New York City at The Player’s Club with actresses Kathleen Chalfont, Penny Fuller and others in an adaptation based on The Other Woman, an anthology that contains her essay “The Uterine Blues.” In 2003, Connie May performed in The Vagina Monologues alongside Jane Fonda and Rosie Perez in a production that raised over $100,000 for charities. She is currently writing her seventh book, a novel with the working title How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly.

In addition to writing, Ms. Fowler has held numerous jobs including bartender, food caterer, nurse, television producer, TV show host, antique peddler, and construction worker. From 1997-2003 she directed the Connie May Fowler Women Wings Foundation, an organization dedicated to aiding women and children in need.

From 2003-2007 she served as the Irving Bachellor Professor of Creative Writing at Rollins College and directed their visiting author series Winter With the Writers.

Ms. Fowler travels the country, speaking on topics such as writing, self-employment in the arts, literacy, domestic violence, child abuse, environmental issues, and popular culture. She teaches writing workshops and seminars globally. She is the founder and CEO of Below Sea Level: Full Immersion Workshops for Serious Writers. She is a Florida native.