Chattanooga Writers Guild

JOAN HETZLER

I grew up in Chattanooga and moved in my 20s to Atlanta where I worked as a secretary until attending Agnes Scott College and then transferring to Emory University to major in Philosophy. I was working on a Master's degree in Applied Philosophy and writing technical manuals at a computer company when I developed chemical sensitivities.

I moved back to a log cabin on my mother's farm in North Georgia and began taking an active role in environmental issues and strengthening my Christian faith. In pursuit of health, I eventually ended up on St. Simons Island where I focused on writing and publishing poetry chapbooks, plays, and a nonfiction novel.

At the Southeastern Writer's Conference, I've won awards in drama, mystery, humor, nonfiction, and poetry, and my poems have been published in Savannah Literary Journal, Coaststyle Magazine, and just recently, East Tennessee Literary Review. This year I've just moved back to Chattanooga, enjoying the diversity of writing groups and interest in writing I've found here.