Meet Dawn Reno Langley | Writer and Yoga Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dawn Reno Langley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dawn, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I became a writer at the young age of nine, publishing my first article in the local newspaper. That first publication led me to an early life as a freelance reporter and photographer. Traveling all over the country opened my eyes in many different ways, especially since I specialized in African American and Native American arts. I sold antiques during that time period, so I wrote for all of the antiques and collectibles magazines, then Crown Publishing contacted me to do a book on African American arts. They launched a long and fun career in writing books about antiques and the arts. Still, Ionged to write a novel, and after many published nonfiction books, I finally broke through, and Kensington published my first novel, All That Glitters. I have difficulty describing what it means to be wrapped up in a scene, the thrill of finding the perfect line, and the satisfaction when you write ‘the end.’ There’s nothing like it. I haven’t wanted to do anything else (except teach) during my life. Since then, I’ve published more novels, such as Analyzing the Prescotts (Black Rose Writing, 2024), and my upcoming novel, The Mystic, which is the first book in a trilogy entitled The Art of Rivers, will be out in May 2025.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I write novels about social justice issues that inspire me to create a story that reaches people who might not otherwise learn anything about my topic. Sometimes my topics come from real life experience, but more often than not, the stories come from my over-active imagination. I consider myself very lucky to have people reading my work.

Right now, I’m most excited about my new novel, The Mystic, which will be out in May. It’s a story quite close to my heart, because it’s based on a “what if” in my own life. The main character, Beth Robbins, is a fictional character, but I imagine her to be the wife of the hit-and-run driver who almost killed my sister when she was 7 years old. Though the novel spins on that axis, it’s really the grounding point for Beth’s transformation from a scared, abused wife to a talented artist who’s madly in love with the Black cop who comes to investigate the accident. I’ve been working on the story for almost twenty years; in fact, there are two other novels about Beth and Graham that follow The Mystic, which is why the series is called The Art of Rivers.

I’ve learned many lessons along the way during my writing career. One of the most important is that publishing is a business and that readers, like other consumers, have a tendency to change their minds about the stories they want to read. Though I want to write the stories that interest me, I know all too well that I’m not the only reader in this world, and if I want to share a story with others, it should be one that is fulfilling and satisfying for the reader.

In the next year or so, I’m going to put the final touches on a memoir that spans my career and my search for that long-lasting love that we read about so often. This will be my most revealing work yet, and I would like readers to close the book thinking that nothing is too difficult if you really want to put the time and effort into making it happen.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Wilmington is the greatest little seacoast town. We’d start off with a stroll down by the river, perhaps get a drink at Ann Bonny’s Bar and Grill, named after a female pirate. We’d hang out for a while, enjoy the boat-watching, then head into the historic neighborhoods, possibly stopping at the Bellamy Mansion, an 1800s Greek revival home that has been restored. We might pick up some goodies at the Museum before meandering through the neighborhoods of gorgeous antebellum and Victorian homes. An afternoon of wandering calls for an ice cream at Kilwin’s before heading home for dinner and a game of billiards in the complex game room.

During the week, we’d visit Pleasure Island, a long, skinny island that is home to Carolina Beach and its amusement park, the long Fishing Pier at Kure Beach, and the brand new Fort Fisher Historic Museum, built on the grounds of the largest land and sea battle in the Civil War.

We’d also visit Wrightsville Beach, a quieter beach east of Wilmington, and take a long walk on the seashell strewn seashore. On the way home, we’ll stop at Pomegranate Books for browsing and coffee, then take our time to stop in the many antiques and consignment shops between the beach and my home.

Depending on the time of year, we might spend an afternoon at the Arboretum or at the Cameron Art Museum, known for their constantly evolving exhibits.

Each day could be filled with something new! There’s no end of interesting things to do in Wilmington,

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have two women who’ve been in my corner and have supported me in different ways. My sister, Candy, listens to all of my ideas and often stops me from crying in my tea, as well. She’s my heart. Then there’s my friend, the writer Melissa Rooney, who encourages me whenever we meet. Her excitement is unbounded, and she often comes to our morning coffees brimming with great ideas for marketing my work. She’s the gas in my engine.

Website: https://www.dawnrenolangley.net

Instagram: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proflangley/

Linkedin: LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-von-wald-ph-d-0a120114/

Facebook: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dawnrenolangley

Youtube: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DawnLangley/videos