Helen Ellis: podcast appearances and interviews

Helen Ellis is an American researcher, author, and anthropologist with a notable career as a writer and storyteller. She has authored several books, including Eating the Cheshire Cat, Bring Your Baggage and Don’t Pack Light, Southern Lady Code, American Housewife, and Kiss Me in the Coral Lounge. Her work often explores themes of Southern manners, domesticity, and personal identity, often with a humorous and darkly satirical tone. Ellis’s first novel, Eating the Cheshire Cat, is a dark comedy set in the Southern Gothic tradition, telling the story of three girls raised in the South and their unusual tribulations. Her second novel, The Turning: What Curiosity Kills, a teen vampire story, delves into supernatural themes and is set against the backdrop of a wealthy New York City family. Her third book, American Housewife, is a collection of stories that examine domestic life with wit and sharpness, and it marked a return to her voice after a period of not publishing. In 2019, she published Southern Lady Code, a collection of essays that discusses a range of topics from menopause to psychic readings, receiving praise for its humor and insight. Her follow-up book, Kiss Me in the Coral Lounge, recounts her experiences of a happy marriage. Besides her literary pursuits, Ellis is also a professional poker player competing in high-stakes tournaments. She resides in New York City with her husband and has roots in Alabama.