Meet Ann Campanella | Author & editor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ann Campanella and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ann, why did you pursue a creative career?
Words have always felt magical to me. When they are put together in the right way, they can communicate, create stories, conjure a myriad of emotions and touch hearts.
Writing was woven into my DNA before I was born. My mother was a writer, and we used to visit my grandmother’s summer home in Lake George, NY, that was built by my great, great grandfather, Edward Eggleston, who was a well-known writer and historian in his day. This home had been Eggleston’s library, and the walls were filled with books. So, when I wasn’t enjoying the lake, I spent my days reading and surrounded by books.
I chose to major in English Literature at Davidson College because reading stories was a joy. I loved to gain insight into people, situations, history and culture through books. Also, writing papers came natural to me and had always been easier for me than taking tests.
After graduation, my natural inclination was to look for a career that had something to do with words. My first job was working as an editorial assistant for a magazine conglomerate in Atlanta. Along with editing other people’s work, I wrote stories for Today’s Living and Better Nutrition magazines. I loved what I did, and the hours in my work week flew by. Having a creative career has always felt like play to me.
Eventually, I began writing books. Sharing my own story through poetry and memoir has been a privilege and a joy.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m most proud of my three memoirs which are personal stories about family and various health issues we faced. After years of moving up the career ladder, I ended up as a managing editor for a daily newspaper in the Houston area. Because I was good at it, I kept getting promoted. At one point, I was the lead editor for seven newspapers. But the frenetic nature of the work didn’t suit me.
So, when my husband and I moved back to North Carolina, I left my job to freelance and start a horse farm (my other passion). During this time, my mother developed Alzheimer’s disease at the same time I was trying (unsuccessfully) to have a child. As I journaled through the ups and downs of those days, it came to me that my experience might benefit others, so I made the decision to write my first memoir, Motherhood: Lost and Found. I’m humbled that this book was named “One of the best Alzheimer’s books of all time” by BookAuthority.
I was eventually successful in having a child. When she was five years old, we learned that my daughter had celiac disease, a condition in which the body reacts to gluten and can lead to malabsorption of food and a host of serious health problems. Living with celiac disease is extremely challenging because the only cure is removing all gluten-containing foods from the diet. Even a crumb can set off a severe reaction. There was no handbook to go by, so I decided to write my second memoir, Celiac Mom, to give others the guidance I wished I had received.
My latest memoir, about my serious shoulder injury that resulted in a two-year recovery, came out in March of 2025. Being used to writing about health issues, I made the choice to share my own journey in The Shoulder Season: A Memoir of Fracture and Grace.
I attribute the success of my books to my years of training—in writing, editing and newspapers/magazines. It’s not enough just to have an idea. Writers must hone their craft, digging deep to shape a story so that it captures their vision and finds an interested audience. The publishing process—whether you find a publisher or self-publish (I have done both)—can be long and arduous. Then there’s the work of promotion, which involves hours dedicated to publicity through various channels. I’ve learned that many people want to “write a book,” but only a few have the dedication to persevere and make that book successful.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend, who is a nature lover and an artist, came to town we’d start by taking a walk around the beautiful Davidson College campus where we went to school together. We’d check out our old dorms and view the outdoor art exhibits. Then we’d visit the Van Every/Smith Galleries and perhaps catch up with some students or some of our former classmates and professors. From there, we’d wander down Davidson’s Main Street, peruse the art at the Pamela Quarles-Adams Gallery & Studio and drop in at the Village Store for some shopping. We’d take a break and eat lunch at The Soda Shop, a fixture in town since 1951. We’d save room for an ice cream cone at Ben & Jerry’s, run by Karen Toney, a local entrepreneur. One evening, we’d be sure to stop by Main Street Books and catch a reading from a well-known or local author. If my friend was visiting over a weekend, we’d be sure to hit the Davidson Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning and a Concert on the Green, just outside the Davidson Public Library.
Later in the week, we’d walk on the greenways around Cornelius and enjoy the loop around Jetton Park which is well shaded and has a view of Lake Norman, and we’d visit the turtles that sun themselves on logs at Robbins Park. If we had a group of friends in town, we might rent the Carolina Grace for an afternoon or evening boat ride on the lake. One night, we’d enjoy a delicious meal at Burton’s Bar and Grill (which has an amazing gluten-free menu). On another night, depending on the weather, we might wander through the shops at Birkdale Village, then get takeout from Bad Daddy’s or CAVA and sit outside and listen to live music or watch a movie on the big screen.
We’d make a trip into Charlotte to visit the Mint Museum and the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. For dinner, we’d go to Monday Night Brewing, which has special “Gluten Freedom” nights, and order one of the best gluten-free pizzas around. Afterwards, we’d go to one of the Charlotte Symphony outdoor events or drop in at the Neighborhood Theater for more live music. On the last day, we’d drive around Charlotte to visit the large outdoor murals painted by my artist friend Esther Moorehead, then take a long walk around Freedom Park. As a special sendoff, we’d splurge on a meal at the classy Fahrenheit restaurant for a rooftop dining experience with a breathtaking view of Charlotte. We’d order drinks and make a toast to all the amazing memories we made!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate this shoutout to my mom. She was always a huge supporter of my writing and listened with rapt attention to anything I read to her. There are so many others who deserve credit as well. Davidson professor Tony Abbott was a long-time mentor. Irene Blair Honeycutt and Judy Goldman have also been mentors to me. The writing community in the Charlotte area is wonderfully supportive, including members of my writing groups, Charlotte Writers’ Club and Lake Norman Writers. Lisa Williams Kline and Gilda Morina Syverson are fellow authors who have helped me tremendously with my memoirs. Both of them read various drafts, made helpful suggestions and encouraged me endlessly. I’m so grateful for all of the incredible encouragement I have received.

Website: https://anncampanella.com/

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